Quad bikes are a serious safety hazard, with many quad bike accidents resulting in death. Quad bike accidents are the leading cause of death and severe injuries on Australian farms. Since 2011, 150 people have died from quad bike related accidents, 23 of whom have been children. In addition, six people present to the hospital each day due to quad bike-related injuries.
A quad bike is an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) that is much like a motorbike with four large wheels. The rider sits on the quad bike and operates the vehicle like a motorcycle, with the extra wheels giving it more stability at slower speeds.
For many years, manufacturers have been claiming rider behaviour is the major reason for deaths and injuries, attempting to shift the focus away from the unsafe design of quad bikes. They are inherently unstable, which can cause them to roll over frequently, with excessive speed, inexperience and unsafe loads usually to blame.
This week, new rules will come into force, and it will be illegal to sell a new quad bike in Australia unless rollover protection device is fitted. Manufacturers had threatened to leave the Australian market if the government implemented the new rules. Though that threat has not come to pass, quad bike sales have boomed as farmers try to beat the deadline.
Quad bikes are dangerous, so let's hope that these new rules make them a little safer.
A quad bike is an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) that is much like a motorbike with four large wheels. The rider sits on the quad bike and operates the vehicle like a motorcycle, with the extra wheels giving it more stability at slower speeds.
For many years, manufacturers have been claiming rider behaviour is the major reason for deaths and injuries, attempting to shift the focus away from the unsafe design of quad bikes. They are inherently unstable, which can cause them to roll over frequently, with excessive speed, inexperience and unsafe loads usually to blame.
This week, new rules will come into force, and it will be illegal to sell a new quad bike in Australia unless rollover protection device is fitted. Manufacturers had threatened to leave the Australian market if the government implemented the new rules. Though that threat has not come to pass, quad bike sales have boomed as farmers try to beat the deadline.
Quad bikes are dangerous, so let's hope that these new rules make them a little safer.
