GEORGIA
— State officials are raising concerns after a noticeable rise in
deadly crashes involving ATVs and off-road vehicles
across Georgia, with data showing 14 fatalities and more than 100 serious injuries so far this year.
Between
January 1 and June 20, 2025
, the Georgia State Patrol investigated
42 crashes involving ATVs and multipurpose off-highway vehicles (MPOHVs)
. These incidents have led to
13 deaths and 64 serious injuries
, underscoring the dangers associated with these popular vehicles.
Tragic Incidents Prompt Warning
Among the most alarming cases:
-
A
16-year-old passenger
was killed on
May 31
in Southeast Georgia when the ATV they were riding
struck a tree
after veering off-road. -
On
June 15
, a
39-year-old man
was discovered dead beneath an overturned MPOHV on private property in Middle Georgia.
So far in 2025,
eight of the state’s fatal off-road incidents involved MPOHVs
, and
six were linked to ATVs
, according to the
Georgia Department of Public Safety
.
New Registration Efforts for Safety
In response, the
Georgia Department of Revenue’s Motor Vehicle Division
launched a
voluntary registration program
on
December 1, 2023
, specifically for MPOHVs.
The program:
-
Issues
metal license plates
for qualifying MPOHVs -
Allows registered MPOHVs to operate on
county roads
-
Prohibits use on
state highways or city streets
, though they may
cross them
Vehicles such as
dirt bikes, ATVs, and three-wheelers
remain excluded from registration and can still be used
off-road without tags
.
Officials Urge Caution
Colonel
William W. Hitchens III
, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety, emphasized the dual nature of these vehicles.
“These vehicles can be fun and useful on trails, private land, and designated county roads. But they come with serious risks—especially when not operated safely,” Hitchens stated.
The department is reminding all riders to follow
standard traffic laws
, including prohibitions on
impaired or distracted driving
. Off-road vehicle operators are subject to the
same legal consequences
as traditional motorists.
Have you seen unsafe ATV activity in your community?
Share your local insights and help raise awareness at
SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com
