Parents across America have been holding their breath over a frightening trend.
Kids are getting hurt on ATVs and UTVs at an alarming rate.
But Polaris just dropped a $1 million bombshell that has parents breathing a sigh of relief.
The sobering reality behind ATV and UTV accidents
The statistics are enough to make any parent’s heart skip a beat.
Every year, off-highway vehicles are involved in more than 800 deaths and an estimated 100,000 emergency department-treated injuries across the United States.
And here’s the part that really hits home for families – almost 300 children under 16 died in OHV accidents from 2016 to 2018, and 142, or 48%, of these children were under 12 years old.
That’s not just a number on a government report.
Those are somebody’s kids who won’t be coming home for dinner.
According to the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, there are more than 11,000 non-fatal ATV/UTV-related injuries in children and teens every year.
Even more shocking? More kids under age 16 die from ATV/UTV-related events than from bicycle crashes, according to Dr. Charles Jennissen, a pediatric emergency medicine physician.
The Consumer Federation of America has been tracking these tragedies, and as of January 2025, they identified 632 OHV fatalities in 2024, comprised mostly of ATV-related incidents.
What’s driving these accidents? Often it comes down to basic safety mistakes.
“Since 2023 in the first half, there were 200 fatalities across the U.S. and one in four of those deaths were for riders under the age of 16. And unfortunately, what we saw of those 200 fatalities, only three of those folks had helmets on and personal protective equipment,” according to Laramie Sandquist, a risk management leader for farm and agribusiness with Nationwide.
Polaris steps up with a game-changing safety initiative
Here’s where the good news comes in.
The powersports giant just committed $1 million to boost youth safety training through Minnesota’s 4-H program, targeting the exact problem that’s been costing young lives.
This isn’t just throwing money at a problem and hoping it goes away.
The company has been working with Minnesota 4-H for six years, training close to 4,000 young riders on safe ATV and UTV practices.
But wait, it gets better.
Beyond the hands-on training programs, this partnership has reached a staggering 800,000 young people through safety displays at farming events and county fairs across the state.
That’s not a misprint – 800,000 young people have been exposed to safety education through this partnership.
Jennifer Skuza, associate dean at University of Minnesota Extension and Minnesota 4-H director, couldn’t contain her excitement about the expanded program.
“This generous support from Polaris will significantly expand our safety education efforts and allow us to bring our increasingly popular 4-H Outdoor Education programming to new audiences,” Skuza said. “We anticipate a three to fourfold increase in youth participation across Minnesota and are excited to help pilot this program in Utah and Wisconsin as well.”
Why 4-H is the perfect partner for this mission
You might wonder why a major corporation like Polaris would partner with 4-H for safety education.
The answer is simple – 4-H gets results.
Research from Tufts University shows that 4-H members are four times more likely to make contributions to their communities (grades 7-12); two times more likely to be civically active (grades 8-12); two times more likely to make healthier choices (grade 7).
When kids learn safety through 4-H programs, they don’t just memorize rules.
They develop the character and decision-making skills that keep them safe for life.
Minnesota’s 4-H ATV and UTV Safety Program is already proving this approach works.
Young people who complete the program earn certification from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to legally ride on public trails and land, using curriculum developed by both the DNR and 4-H experts.
Kids don’t just learn to pass a test – participants learn about responsible off-road vehicle operation, risk awareness, proper safety protocols and how to be good stewards of the land.
The program is expanding to save more lives
This million-dollar investment isn’t just about Minnesota.
The expansion plans are ambitious and potentially life-saving.
The program will launch pilot projects in Wisconsin and Utah, with Minnesota 4-H sharing their proven methods to help both states build robust ATV and UTV safety programs.
Dave Francis, Extension Youth Programs Director and Utah 4-H State Director, explained the broader vision.
“We know our 4-Hers become leaders and ambassadors in their communities,” Francis said. “By extending the Minnesota programming into a pilot in Utah, we aim to encourage our youth to lead the way in demonstrating safe and responsible off-highway vehicle riding practices, both on the farm and on the trails.”
The program will also include something that could reach kids nationwide – a comprehensive online youth ATV and UTV safety course.
Pam Kermisch, Chief Customer and Growth Officer and President of the Polaris Foundation, made it clear this is about more than just business.
“We share 4-H’s goal of blending outdoor experiences with safe and responsible riding and are proud of the work we’ve done together through the years,” Kermisch said. “We look forward to expanding our efforts and reaching new youth through pilots in additional states as well as the development of an online safety course.”
Why this matters for every family
Polaris didn’t have to make this investment.
The company is already profitable and successful.
But when you look at those accident statistics, you realize this is about saving lives.
Every parent who lets their child ride an ATV or UTV should care about this program.
The numbers don’t lie – proper safety education works.
States that require safety training see fewer accidents and fatalities.
Anyone born after July 1, 1987, and who is 16 years or older, must complete the ATV safety online course at ATVcourse.com (and pay all necessary fees online) to meet certification requirements in Minnesota.
This isn’t just about following rules – it’s about giving kids the knowledge and skills they need to enjoy these vehicles safely for years to come.
When a major corporation puts a million dollars behind youth safety education, it sends a message that protecting our kids is worth the investment.
And that should have every parent breathing a little easier.
