Five people have died in all-terrain vehicle accidents in about one month in Maine, making 1992 the deadliest year for ATV riders since at least 1986, according to statistics provided by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

In some parts of Maine, all-terrain vehicles are the recreational vehicle of choice. They are a means of transportation into the deep woods, to lakes and streams that would otherwise be inaccessible or accessible only on foot.

They are used for rescue purposes, for entertainment and to allow physically handicapped people a chance to enjoy the Maine woods.

But each year dozens of people are injured, some fatally, because of irresponsible use of the two-, three- or four-wheeled machines.

“There is a risk with any recreational vehicle, but no more with ATVs than anything else. However, when machinery is used improperly anything can happen, said Ron Bennett, recreational safety coordinator for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

The problems this year began on June 30 when a 14-year-old Pleasant Point youth was killed in Perry when his ATV collided with a pickup truck. In July, ATV accidents claimed the lives of a 4-year-old boy from East Machias, a 46-year-old Harrington man and a Connecticut man who died when two ATVs collided in Millinocket.

On Aug. 1, a Mariaville man was killed when he drove his ATV into a pipe gate.

The five fatalities exceed the four recorded in 1991, although the total number of accidents seems to be down, said Bennett. There have been 46 ATV accidents so far this year, while there were 125 in 1991, Bennett said.

Irresponsible use of ATVs is the most frequent cause of accidents, according to statistics provided by Bennett. The primary cause of ATV accidents in 1991 was drivers operating the vehicles too fast for the conditions. Inexperience and inattention were the No. 2 and No. 3 causes.

The majority of the accidents in 1991 occurred at night, and alcohol was considered a factor in 14 of them.

Bennett spends a great deal of time providing ATV operators with safety tips and information, but “there’s a certain number of people who just won’t listen.”

Also, the laws governing the use of ATVs are limited. Children of any age are permitted to operate ATVs. Those under 10 are allowed to operate only on their parents’ property, must wear a helmet and must be supervised by an adult.

Children between 10 and 15 also must have adult supervision and must complete a five-hour safety course before being allowed to ride off their parents’ property.

All children younger than 18 are required to wear a helmet, Bennett said.

“The problem often is that young people get on these things and their parents don’t watch them,” said Bennett.

Law enforcement has been cracking down on ATV violations in the last few years, hoping to force people into complying with the laws, Bennett said.

Of the 125 accidents in 1991, seven involved operators younger than 10 years old, 33 involved operators between 10 and 15 years old, and 19 involved operators between 16 and 20.

The majority of accident victims in 1991 were not wearing helmets. The four people killed in 1991 all died of head and neck injuries.

“I don’t see how these people can even ride in the woods without a helmet. Just the trees and shrubs alone pose some danger if your head and face are not protected,” Bennett said.

ATV safety courses are offered periodically by Bennett’s office. The courses will be offered throughout the state as long as there are at least a few people interested in taking them, Bennett said.

Bennett failed to state whether he felt the laws governing ATVs were strict enough, but pointed out that common sense could not be legislated.

“ATVs are a great deal of fun and are a great way to get out and see the woods, but it’s so important that they be used properly,” he said.