(WFRV) – Wisconsin officials are urging UTV riders to wear their seatbelts following a sharp rise in fatal crashes across the state this year.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says as of late July, 25 people have died in ATV/UTV crashes in 2025. UTVs were involved in 84% of those deadly incidents. In most cases, riders were not wearing seatbelts.
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.
Lt. Jacob Holsclaw, Wisconsin DNR off-highway vehicle administrator
The DNR says only four of the 25 victims were confirmed to be wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, with one case still under investigation.
In Wisconsin, it’s the law for all UTV passengers to wear seatbelts. Failing to buckle up can increase the risk of being thrown from the vehicle, which is a major cause of series injuries and deaths in off-road crashes.
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State law also limits UTV use for young riders. Operators must be at least 16 to drive a full-size UTV in public areas, any anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, must complete a DNR approved safety course.
For more information on ATV/UTV riding in Wisconsin, including how to sign up for safety courses, visit the DNR’s ATV/UTV Riding in Wisconsin site.
