An advocacy group in the state of Oklahoma is looking to address more than a dozen ATV-related deaths that have taken place this year. According to the group, 17 Oklahomans have died in 2025 alone, some as young as eight years old. And while that is both tragic and unnecessary, we wonder – does
this advocacy group actually know what an ATV is?
An article published by KOCO News 5 (an ABC affiliate) shed some light on the groups’ efforts to reduce fatalities through free statewide training, but the video they shared along with that piece features a UTV, not an ATV.
In the video, Elizabeth Koldoff, Director of Injury Prevention for ATV Ride Safe Oklahoma, says “ATVs are not toys, these are big machines, and they come with a big responsibility.”
She’s right, mind you, but a quick internet search will show that an ATV and a UTV are two very different things. And that makes us wonder whether this advocacy group knows the difference, and why that might matter.
According to Koldoff, "The deaths that we’re seeing in Oklahoma are found on paved roads. About 75% of those deaths are found with side-by-sides." Additionally, safety experts said that 90% of these tragedies happen when a child is operating an adult-sized vehicle.
The difference between an ATV and UTV is important when looking at the information provided by ATV Ride Safe Oklahoma. Children operating full-size UTVs is obviously an issue, but if those seeking to take action can’t adequately define the difference between these two segments of the powersports industry, broad sweeping reform, or future laws that impact ATV riders may be missing the mark.
Additionally, Koldoff addresses the fact that parents are putting their kids in car seats in hopes of keeping them safe while riding in a UTV – “Some people feel if they can use a car seat in a side-by-side, they’re protecting their child, but really the opposite is true."
Again, she’s right, but the data that they’re using to advocate for change becomes unclear if the difference between an ATV and a UTV is not addressed. Parents who put their children into a UTV must take full responsibility for the health and safety of that child. But if we’re talking about ATVs, the same can’t necessarily be said, as the parent is no longer operating the vehicle themselves. Which brings us back to the point – does the state of Oklahoma know the difference?
According to Oklahoma.gov, all-terrain vehicles, or ATVs, are “off-road motorized vehicles that have three or four low pressure tires. ATVs typically are designed for one rider (the operator); however, certain models do allow for passengers.” They go on to define a UTV as a “specialized four-wheeled vehicles used for a variety of purposes... that can seat two, four, or six passengers.”
While it seems that they understand the fundamental differences between ATVs and UTVs, Oklahoma law regarding who can legally ride an ATV is a little unclear. It does state that it is “unlawful for a person less than eighteen (18) years of age to operate or to be carried as a passenger upon an all-terrain
vehicle unless the person wears a crash helmet.” Additionally, ATVs are generally not allowed on U.S. highways or divided roads. They may be allowed on certain unpaved local roads or for direct, perpendicular crossings of streets under specific conditions.
So, are the efforts of Koldoff and ATV Ride Safe Oklahoma going to be enough to reduce fatalities on ATVs in Oklahoma? It’s a start, but perhaps they should first focus on understanding the differences between the types of vehicles that are causing these unnecessary deaths, before pushing for
broad sweeping reform or policy change that might impact a person riding their ATV, as opposed to a family carrying their kids around unsafely in the back seat of a UTV on public roads?
