ATV owners are being reminded to keep safety top of mind when they head out for May Long.

According to Alberta Health Services, an average of 14 people die each year in ATV incidents and over half of all ATV fatalities from 2002-2013 tested positive for alcohol.

With that, residents are being reminded to never use drugs or alcohol before or while operating an ATV.

The same impaired driving laws are applicable to all motorized vehicles.

Stats from the Injury Prevention Centre at the University of Alberta show that each year, about 5,200 Albertans visit an emergency department and 600 are admitted to hospital following crashes involving ATVs.

CSA-compliant helmets must be worn when using an off-highway vehicles on public land.

From 2002 to 2013, 41 per cent of ATV deaths in Alberta were due to head injuries and in 80 per cent of these head injury deaths, the riders were not wearing a helmet.

Boots, long pants, a jacket, gloves, and goggles should also be worn.

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