Why are these vehicles risky?
They are light, fast and designed to go where cars cannot, which often means slopes, ruts and soft ground. Rollovers and collisions are the main causes of serious injury, and many injured riders were not wearing a helmet or belt.
Safety groups and public health agencies publish guidance on these vehicles, and the CDC and your state extension farm safety program are good starting points.
Fatigue, speed and distractions play a role in many crashes. Slow, deliberate riding is safer, and riders should never use alcohol or drugs before operating any vehicle.
What is the difference between an ATV and a UTV?
An ATV is typically a straddle-seat vehicle with handlebars, built for one rider unless the manufacturer designed it for two. A UTV, or side-by-side, has a seat, steering wheel, roll structure and seat belts, and often a cargo bed.
They handle differently. ATV riders shift their weight, and UTV drivers rely on steering and braking. Read the manual for your vehicle and follow its limits for riders, cargo and terrain.
Check the manufacturer's labels on the vehicle itself. They list rider limits, warnings and recommended tire pressure, and they are worth reading before the first ride.
What gear and training should you use?
Wear a properly fitting helmet and eye protection every ride, and sturdy boots, gloves and long clothing. In a UTV, use the seat belt and keep arms and legs inside the vehicle.
Take a hands-on safety course if one is available. Many dealers, extension programs and safety organizations offer them. Practice in an open area before working around livestock or on slopes.
- Helmet and eye protection for every rider
- Seat belt fastened in side-by-side vehicles
- Closed shoes or boots and gloves
- Hearing protection if the machine is loud
- Bright clothing in poor light or heavy cover
How should you handle terrain, loads and speed?
Slow down on rough ground, and avoid steep slopes, creek banks and unfamiliar ground. Check fields on foot first. Keep loads low and secured, and do not exceed the cargo rating in the manual.
Towing changes handling and braking. Use only the hitch and capacity the manufacturer provides. Wet grass, mud, ice and loose gravel all reduce traction, so reduce speed further.
Carry a phone or radio and tell someone where you are going. A rollover far from the house can be hard to report without one.
- Walk new ground on foot before riding it
- Load cargo low and centered
- Brake and steer gently on wet or loose ground
- Keep both hands on the controls and both feet in place
Who should and should not ride?
Passengers on a single-rider ATV greatly raise the risk of a crash. UTVs have seats for the number of people the manufacturer states, and each must have a belt. Never carry more than the vehicle is designed for.
Children are particularly at risk. Manufacturers and safety organizations set age and size guidance, and many states have laws on youth riding. Check your state's rules and the manual, and keep a child off a machine that is too big or too fast for them.
What rules apply where you live?
State and local laws vary on helmets, youth riders, public road use, registration and operating on public land. Farm use on your own property is often treated differently, but you should confirm.
Ask your state natural resources or motor vehicle agency, your county sheriff and your insurance agent. Also ask about liability if guests or workers ride your vehicles.
Insurance can differ for recreational and farm use, so describe your actual use to your agent.
- Helmet and age rules for youth riders
- Public road and trail access
- Registration and plates
- Liability if guests or workers ride
How do you maintain these vehicles?
Check tires, brakes, steering, lights, fluids and guards before every ride. Keep the air filter clean in dusty conditions, grease fittings as the manual directs and store the machine out of rain and sun.
Never modify speed limiters, roll structures or guards. If a part is damaged, repair it before using the vehicle. Keep keys away from children and store the vehicle in a locked place when you can.
Keep the vehicle away from kids' play areas and locked when not in use.
Key takeaways
- Wear a helmet, eye protection and, in a UTV, the seat belt.
- Take a hands-on training course before working in rough terrain.
- Do not carry extra riders on an ATV built for one person.
- Slow down on slopes and check unfamiliar ground on foot.
- Check state rules for youth riders and public land.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.