Quad bike safety information needs an urgent overhaul with escalating on-farm deaths as a result of quad bike accidents.
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Dr Ewen McPhee, President of the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA), said that RDAA supports the National Farming Federation’s (NFF) call for a five star safety rating system.
“Quad bikes are one of the leading causes of on-farm fatalities in Australia,” Dr McPhee said.
“NFF President Fiona Simson said that there is an estimated 200,000 quad bikes on rural properties in Australia.
“In both 2015 and 2016 quad bikes accounted for the highest number of farm deaths and injuries overall.
“Currently, there is conflicting information available to farmers when purchasing their quad bikes as to the effectiveness, and even safety, of protection items such as crush protection devices (CPDs).
“Much of this information is provided by the manufacturers, and there is currently no independent information provided on safety when buying a quad bike.
“As rural doctors, we see the devastation caused by the death or serious injury to the families and communities affected by on-farm accidents.
“Too many of these deaths are of children, and their parents did not have a sufficient understanding of the level of risk involved in allowing them to operate quad bikes.
There is no such thing as a child appropriate quad.
- Dr Ewen McPhee
“There is no such thing as a child appropriate quad,” Dr McPhee said.
“We whole heartedly support the NFF’s call for a safety rating system, to allow consumers to make informed buying decisions and to protect themselves and their loved ones.”