Quad bike law change not enough to prevent deaths

Quad Bike Law Change Not Enough to Prevent Deaths

Summary: The decision to not retrofit mandatory roll bars on thousands of quad bikes has proven fatal, as Australians continue losing lives in tragic accidents at a rate of one every two weeks. Despite recent regulatory changes, the quad bike industry still faces significant risk without stronger enforcement of crash protection requirements.

At least 164 people have died in quad bike accidents over the last decade. As most of those accidents occurred on private farming properties, 24 of the people who died last year, ranging in age from 2 to 78, were not counted in the official road toll. This year alone, four people have been killed in quad bike accidents.

What New Regulations Changed — and What They Missed

The Federal Government announced a raft of new safety regulations in October 2019, which included a requirement that quad bikes sold in Australia carry a sticker warning of the degree of slope before they overturn. Bikes had to be tested for stability and meet either European or US standards for brakes and suspension.

After the October 10 deadline, quad bikes can only be sold without roll bars by dealers if they were ordered before July 1 and delivered by December 31, leaving potentially tens of thousands of deathtraps still in use across the industry. Experts have also reignited calls for mandatory helmets and a ban on drivers under 16 years of age, arguing that a law change alone not enough to reduce the ongoing risk facing riders and their families.

Roll Bars Save Lives — So Why Aren't They Mandatory?

Chairman of Farmsafe Charles Armstrong said that despite several states offering rebates to fit crash protection devices (roll bars), only a small proportion of the estimated 250,000–300,000 quad bikes in use have them fitted.

"We have not had one fatality in 20 years on a bike with a [roll bar] on it. Not one. These bars keep the weight off the person and allow them to crawl out — and survive," he said.

Someone who regularly sees the damage quad bikes can do is Paediatric Surgeon Dr Warwick Teague, from The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. He said he hoped to see helmets made mandatory and a ban on drivers under 16, noting that children remain among the most vulnerable riders on Australian farming properties.

"We would not let some cars on the road with seat belts and not others. That's why it is so important we continue this conversation around safety — it shouldn't end just with these changes," Dr Teague said.

To encourage the installation of roll bars, state governments in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania have offered quad bike owner rebates, but Victoria's has expired and Tasmania's ends soon. For a broader look at how state-based initiatives aim to cut fatalities, read about the new safety campaign aims to reduce quad bike related deaths in Queensland. The full article is available to view on the Herald Sun website.

Quad Bike Maintenance a Must

Accidents causing serious harm and fatalities from quad bikes continue to be an issue in New Zealand. Since 2006, there have been 75 deaths, and 614 people have been seriously injured — a toll that underscores how hazardous this equipment remains when maintenance and training fall short.

Following the death of an employee on Tui Glen Farms in Wharepuhunga in the Waikato in January 2020, WorkSafe New Zealand says a fundamental part of any health and safety process should include checking quad bike tyre pressure regularly.

What the Investigation Found

Investigations by WorkSafe found that the bike the farm employee was using when it rolled on a steep slope had incorrectly inflated tyres, with significant variations of over-inflation. Investigators also found the employee had not been instructed or trained on checking and maintaining tyre pressure — a gap that highlights how essential ongoing health and safety training is across the agricultural industry.

WorkSafe is currently working with ACC to introduce a cashback offer on crush protection devices (CPDs) and recommends that businesses consider installing them on the back of quad bikes. WorkSafe also strongly encourages farmers to look at what vehicles are best suited for their farm's terrain, as a farm ute or side-by-side transport option may be a safer choice than a quad bike in some cases.

Reducing Hazardous Conditions Through Better Equipment Choices

Choosing the right transport for hilly or uneven terrain plays a major role in reducing risk across the farming industry. Alternative transport options with greater stability can significantly lower the chance of rollover incidents, particularly on steep or hazardous ground where quad bikes are historically overrepresented in fatality statistics.

For businesses reviewing their safety documentation as regulations evolve, our Legislative Change Policy resource can help ensure processes stay current with industry requirements. Organisations can also use a Change Request Form to formally document updates to equipment or procedures following an incident review.

The original article can be viewed on the WorkSafe New Zealand website. For further reading on related incidents affecting the industry, see our coverage of quad bike danger persists and the report on a man killed in quad bike rollover.