$1.3m research to reduce quad bike deaths

A $1.3m Quad Bike Performance Project that looked at reducing current levels of quad bike-related fatalities and injuries on farms by University of NSW researchers has offered 24 safety recommendations.

The project explored the stability and crashworthiness of quad bikes and assessed their risks and performance. It was part of a national Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities (HWSA) initiative, funded by WorkCover NSW.

“Quad bikes are currently the leading cause of death on Australian farms*,” the executive director of WorkCover’s Work Health and Safety Division, Peter Dunphy, said.

“Since 2001, more than 210 people have died as a result of quad bike incidents with 67% of those occurring on farms. Of these, around 20% involve children under 16.”

The project was conducted over 18 months by researchers from the University of NSW Transport and Road Safety unit and involved more than 1000 tests carried out on 16 vehicles.

“Tests were carried out on agricultural and recreational quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles for static stability, dynamic handling and rollover crashworthiness — with and without load and with and without operator protective devices,” Dunphy said.

The project produced 24 recommendations including:

• introducing a consumer safety rating system for new vehicles;
• retrofitting of operator protective devices for existing on-farm vehicles;
• increasing helmet wearing;
• restricting children under 16 from operating an adult quad bike;
• increasing education and awareness about the importance of vehicle selection and safe use.

The head of the research team, Professor Raphael Grzebieta, said the research has shown it is important to rate quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles to help reduce injuries.

“This project has identified that a rating system would be one of the most effective ways to allow consumers to make informed decisions about the safety of their vehicle,” Grzebieta said.

Dunphy said WorkCover is reviewing the findings of the research report and is working with stakeholders and the Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities to develop a nationally agreed position in relation to the research findings and a revised national quad bike safety strategy.

“There are around 300,000 quad bikes in operation across Australia and we are committed to working with industry to deliver safety improvements to prevent injuries and most importantly, save lives,” he said.

The research recommendations have also been used as part of two separate coronial inquiries into quad bike deaths in Qld and NSW.

The research report is available from www.tars.unsw.edu.au.

*Data sourced from The Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety.