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On June 30, 2014, my brother, Darren, and I were passing our grandparents house as they were getting ready to go on their routine crop-check cruise in their Utility Task Vehicle (UTV).

I knew we did not have time to stop and visit so we called to let them know we would be over the next day to see them. Little did we know that opportunity would not come.

Let me give you some context. My grandpa, Kenny, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and had lost most of his ability to drive and operate farm machinery. The nightly crop checks were his way of feeling connected to the farm by checking crop progress.

My grandma, Liz, happened to be driving this time and we don’t know if she had relied on my grandpa to let her know it was safe to cross the road or if the radiant sunset that night was in their eyes, or both.

We will never truly know what happened in that moment.

What we do know is that UTVs require more situational awareness than regular highway vehicles due to their structure, and unfortunately, my grandparents’ awareness was dulled that night. They crossed the highway and drove into the path of another vehicle.

Neither of them were wearing helmets or seatbelts. They both succumbed to their injuries. That one judgement call changed the dynamics of our sixth-generation family farm overnight.

While our family has done our fair share of grieving over the last 11 years, there have been some positive outcomes from that horrific day. My dad, Anthony, quickly began implementing farm safety procedures, which are now instilled in my brother, who was 15 at the time of the accident, and is now full-time on the farm.

“The loss of my grandparents changed the way I see every piece of equipment, every field, every driveway I turn out of when operating equipment,” Darren said. “If you farm, you know how quickly things can change. Don’t let comfort turn into complacency. A safe farm is a lasting farm.”

All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and UTVs have become a staple piece of equipment for many farmers and ranchers. They serve unique purposes on and off the farm and are oftentimes more cost efficient than larger trucks.

While they have proven to be functional farm vehicles, it is important to understand the safety risks and concerns associated with operating them. According to the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission, ATVs and UTVs cause more than 700 deaths each year.

Campaign launches to promote safety awareness

In 2024, nearly a decade after my grandparents’ accident, Ohio Farm Bureau Heritage Partner, Nationwide, teamed up with Dale Earnhardt Jr. to launch the Let’s Champion Rider Safety campaign. This initiative aims to raise awareness about ATV and UTV safety, addressing the growing number of fatalities linked to these vehicles.

“Our collective goal is simple. It’s to make sure every operator knows what it takes to ride safely in the right places so we don’t have to read another headline about a lost life or serious injury from an ATV or UTV,” said Dirk Pollitt, senior vice president, Nationwide Agribusiness Distribution & Underwriting.

The campaign is focused on three main pillars:

1) Legal does not mean safe: just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

2) Common sense: traveling a safe, smart speed.

3) Proper driver/rider training for farm employees and family members.

Speaking of pillars, my grandparents were respected pillars of our community. They are not bad people because this accident happened, but this is a great example of how actions have consequences.

 “Take the time to check the blind spots, don’t cut corners and set the safety standard for your operation,” Darren said. “Our families and future generations deserve that from us.”

Farm safety is a popular topic but the true importance of it usually does not resonate until you are mourning a loved one, or in our case, two loved ones.

If you take anything away from this story, I hope it is this: Don’t ever think it can’t happen to you. Most of the time, safety is in the hands of the operator. Whether you are a beginner rider or seasoned rider like my grandparents, use the resources available to you at nationwide.com/ATVsafety, and let’s champion rider safety together so no other family learns this lesson the hard way.  

KEY POINTS

• Nationwide’s Let’s Champion Rider Safety campaign focuses on ATV/UTV safety.
• Safety is paramount when operating these farm vehicles properly.
• One accident can change and impact a farm family.

WHAT’S NEXT

What can you do at home to keep ATV/UTV riders safe?

• Wear helmets even if it is not “cool.”
• Ride smart and within speed limits.
• Try to avoid public roads.
• Make sure riders are properly trained.

Visit nationwide.com/ATVsafety to learn about the Champion Rider Safety campaign.

Amanda Bush is a communications specialist with Ohio Farm Bureau.