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As sunnier days and warmer temperatures take hold, our roadways will become more populated and require more sharing.

There will be more motorcycles, more cyclists and the whole thing will be sprinkled with farmers looking to get into the field.

There will also be the re-emergence of more off-highway vehicles. These vehicles can include a variety of forms including ATVs and side-by-sides, all of which require another layer of safety when operating.

Unfortunately, 2024 was a record year for fatalities in the state involving these types of vehicles. According to a Department of Natural Resources press release on Monday, there were 30 accidents involving off-highway vehicles last year, which resulted in 32 fatalities.

Of these, more than three-quarters of the crashes were on roadways or in ditches while seven of the incidents took place on private property, a trail or on public property.

The other unfortunate aspect about these sobering numbers is that out of those 30 crashes, 26 of the operators involved did not have safety certification for ATVs. This is required for anyone born after July 1, 1987 and who is 12 years or older in order to operate on public lands or waters, public road rights-of-way or state grant-in-aid trails.

There is a responsibility to operating these vehicles safely, just as there is any other vehicle operation and it’s not done simply for the sake of government oversight. These are very real concerns, especially if you are going to be operating one of these vehicles with others.

While the machines are made for off-highway operation, they can easily be tipped over causing extensive injury or even death if proper precautions aren’t taken.

There are also dangers to motorized traffic on the roads, who sometimes can not see off-highway vehicles in ditches.

In their release Monday, the DNR reminded the public that anyone under the age of 18 is required to wear a Department of Transportation helmet and even more, it’s recommended that all people in or on these vehicles wear helmets.

Other ways riders can help ensure a safe ride include:

• When they’re open, ride only on designated trails. Stay to the right and travel at a safe speed.

• Ride sober.

• Remember that riders under age 15 are not allowed to operate Class 2 ATVs.

• Wear protective gear including goggles, long sleeves, long pants, over-the-ankle boots, gloves and a DOT-approved helmet when riding all types of off-highway vehicles.

• If an off-highway vehicle comes with factory installed seatbelts, wear them.

• Avoid riding on paved roads except to cross. Do it safely and ensure it’s permitted by law.

• Actively supervise young riders as off-highway vehicles aren’t toys.

• Complete a safety education course.

For more tips on safe riding, visit the ATV safety page of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/ohv/atv-safety.html).