Minnesota
Riverlands
October ATV Fatalities Prompt Minnesota Safety Reminder
As off-highway vehicles remain popular in our region, safety officials emphasize helmets and seatbelts.
A series of off-highway vehicle crashes led Minnesota safety officials to urge riders to take additional precautions. MPR News reported October 26 that 19 people had died in off-highway vehicle crashes statewide in 2026, including seven in October. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources had reported six October fatalities in its earlier October 22 safety release, so the figures reflect different reporting dates.
The DNR reminds riders to wear helmets, use seatbelts when their vehicles are equipped with them, ride at safe speeds, and follow the rules for roads and trails. Young riders must follow age-specific helmet and training requirements.
Why it matters in our region: ATVs and side-by-sides are common on farms, rural properties and recreation trails. Taking time to buckle up and check conditions can help prevent a devastating accident.
Sources: MPR News, October 26; Minnesota DNR, October 22, 2026.