Fatal ATV accidents down in Lewis County

LOWVILLE — Lewis County in 2009 had the same number of all-terrain vehicle accidents as in the prior year, with two fewer fatalities.

There were 17 ATV crashes in the county last year, according to the Lewis County Sheriff's Department's annual ATV activity report. That's tied with 1999 and 2008 for the fewest accidents during the past 11 years.

There was one fatal ATV crash in the county in 2009, down from three in 2008. The 2008 figure was the highest number of fatalities during the past decade, while there were no fatal ATV accidents in 2000 or 2007.

"I think we saw about the same traffic in 2009 as in 2008," said Deputy Michael K. Leviker, parks and recreation officer at the Sheriff's Department.

Mr. Leviker compiles the annual activity report.

Twelve of the 17 crashes occurred east of the Black River. There were four in the town of New Bremen, three in Greig and two each in Croghan and Lyonsdale.

Speed was listed as a contributing factor in five of the crashes, while rider inexperience was cited in three and alcohol consumption, failure to keep right, passenger distraction and obstruction/debris were each cited in two accidents.

Three of the crashes involved drivers ages 16 to 20, while another three included drivers 26 to 30.

Of the 17 crashes, 10 occurred on a town road opened to ATVs and five occurred on private property. The other two happened on a closed town road and state land, respectively.

The highest number of crashes — six — occurred on Tuesdays, followed by Saturdays and Sundays with four apiece.

Several benefit ATV rides were held in 2009, with 2,385 participants and two personal injury accidents.

The number of ATV-related complaints increased from 120 in 2008 to 131 last year. However, the 2009 figure was still lower than any other year's totals since 2000. Of last year's complaints, 101 were for ATVs on highways, 23 were for trespassing, four were general matters and three were for theft of ATVs. Four ATVs were reported stolen in 2008.

Lewis County in 2009 operated a permit-based ATV system for the first time, contracting with the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce to sell permits on its Web site, at its South State Street office and at several businesses. There were 2,016 permits sold, resulting in more than $81,000 in revenue to the county and chamber.