Increased ATV/UTV enforcement coming as Wisconsin has seen 31 fatalities in '26

The useful part

Eighteen of the fatalities were on UTVs and 14 on ATVs across the state with the most recent being two accidents on Aug. "This is trending in the wrong direction as we continue to see an increase of injury and fatal ATV and UTV crashes – with plenty of riding season left this year," Lt. Jacob Holsclaw, DNR off-highway vehicle administrator, said in the enforcement announcement.

How it works

• "A large percentage of injury and fatal crashes involve riders not wearing helmets or seatbelts, operating without completing a safety course or with some level of impairment.
• I can't stress enough that the public needs to regulate themselves every time they go out riding." The DNR officers will be monitoring safety equipment, Operating While Intoxicated and other driving issues...
• The DNR maintains a list of fatalities on ATVs and UTVs in the state that includes where the operator had safety certification, if alcohol was involved and whether a helmet or safety belt were being used.