Over the weekend, a man in Macon County was killed in a four-wheeler crash. According to WLOS ABC News Channel 13, the incident happened sometime on Saturday on Georgia Road, just south of Franklin. Very few details about the wreck have been released, but we do know there were two four-wheelers involved. The wreck reportedly happened on a gravel driveway. A Macon County man, 51-year-old Shawn McCutcheon, was killed in the crash and another man was injured. There has been no word on what caused the crash, which is likely still under investigation with local authorities.
ATV Crashes in North Carolina
Sadly, North Carolina is one of the top 10 states were people die on All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has been collecting and compiling data on ATV-related injuries and deaths since 1982. According to the CPSC, there are more than 700 deaths and 10,000 injuries each year involving ATVs across the nation. There are a variety of factors that can impact safety on four wheelers, so consumers are encouraged to take safety training classes before riding.
ATV Crash Statistics
- In 2014, there were an estimated 93,700 ATV-related emergency room-treated injuries in the U.S.
- An estimated 26 percent of those injuries involved children under the age of 16 years old.
- Between 1982 and 2014, there have been 13,617 reported ATV-related fatalities.
- Nearly a quarter of those fatalities involved children younger than 16 years old.
- Between 1982 and 2011, there have been 405 reported ATV-related deaths in the State of North Carolina.
Four-Wheeler Safety in Asheville
The CPSC has a variety of tips to improve safety for those that ride four wheelers. They discourage riders from heading out on paved roads. Children under the age of 16 should never drive or ride an adult-sized ATV. You should never drive an ATV with a passenger or ride as a passenger, because the center of gravity and balance can be impacted. They also encourage riders to wear helmets and other safety gear like boots, gloves and long pants and sleeves. Finally, the CPSC recommends all riders or prospective riders take a hands-on safety training course.
The team at Davis Law Group, P.A. sends their deepest condolences to McCutcheon’s family members and friends.