Subscribe to RSSCall For Quad Bike Changes
The Motor Trade Association says it supports Wellington coroner Ian Smith’s call for legislative change on quad bike use.
It says more than 100 people dying in the past 10 years from such accidents is far too many.
MTA spokeswoman Ana Zandi says serious consideration needs to be given to a law change.
That change would set a minimum quad bike riding age and make the wearing of helmets mandatory.
“We are working with the Department of Labour and ACC on how quad bike accidents can be reduced and like any workplace or device, riders need to consider what they should do to minimise the risk of accidents,” Miss Zandi says.
“Motorbike, bicycle, horse riders and other similar users are required to wear a helmet. We think even more emphasis could be given to quad bike safety considering the high number of deaths and accidents each year.”
Ms Zandi adds the issue is further complicated as quad bikes don’t require a warrant of fitness check.
MTA is working with motorcycle dealer members to promote rider training and the use of helmets and safety gear and safety checks of quad bikes when they are being sold and serviced.
“We encourage all our dealer members to carry out a pre-ride safety check at the time of sale and to ensure that the customer is familiar with its controls. Customers are advised to always inspect the quad bike prior to use, to make sure it’s in safe operating condition. Despite these safety precautions, we believe the government also needs to take action and introduce a minimum driving age and the mandatory use of helmets.”
MTA will also be working with Federated Farmers and Rural Women NZ to promote training of quad bike operators.
5 Comments
Under that logic, car drivers should also wear helmets, as various studies related to cycle helmets have shown. And yet Dutch cyclists don’t.
Anyone know any statistics that provide actual risk comparisons so we can get a feel for whether any action is really needed on quads? Saying “10 deaths a year!!!” without context is not very useful.
I’m not sure if that logic does suggest car drivers should wear helmets actually. The coroner is suggesting that quad bikes deaths are highly over-represented and presumably he thinks head injuries account for a lot of those.
Ten deaths a year does indicate a very high death rate. If you consider there are about 30 motorcycle deaths a year but quad bike usage is presumably far less than regular motorcycles.
Like many of these topics there is no good information on usage rates, but one would expect something as generally uncommon as quad bike use shouldn’t cause so many deaths.
Indeed, data is sparse. Which in my opinion is a reason to NOT simply rush in with new rules.
Check out http://www.quadbar.co.nz. This product will reduce injuries and deaths from Quadbike rollover.
Quadbar was designed & manufactured using Department of Labour quidelines. It has ISO5700 standard which is far greater than Dols quidelines.
Yet Quadbar can’t even get Dols endorsement. Fact is 100′s have been injuried and killed without the quadbar attachment. Its about time for a change of thinking!