Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is sounding the alarm on UTV safety as the tally of fatal crashes this year surges. Out of 23 deaths on UTVs/ATVs in 2025, a minuscule five victims buckled up before their fatal journeys, with UTVs implicated in a staggering 86% of those deaths, according to the Wisconsin DNR. The call to action is simple yet lifesaving: strap into the provided safety belts.
It's more than just good advice; it's a requisite under Wisconsin law – a seatbelt for every UTV rider. Lt. Jacob Holsclaw, Wisconsin DNR’s off-highway vehicle administrator, emphasized the presence of safety features designed to protect, noting, "UTVs are designed with key safety features, like roll cages and seatbelts, that are there to protect riders in the event of a crash or rollover," told the Wisconsin DNR. These can only safeguard lives when utilized.
Amidst rising concerns, there's a spotlight on preventable measures. Seatbelts are not elaborate contraptions; they are simple and proven to keep the body from hurtling out of the vehicle upon impact – a frequent and critical cause of death or severe harm in off-road mishaps. The authorities are doubling down on the straightforward, yet often ignored, action of buckling up.
Enhancing the push for safety is a set of restrictions aimed at younger riders. Those under 16 are forbidden from operating full-size UTVs in public areas, and anyone born after January 1, 1988, but over 12 must pass a DNR-endorsed safety course to take control of these vehicles.
