Experts have warned quad bike riders to understand the risks of using the machines after an Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety report said there had been 11 quad bike deaths in Australia so far this year.
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A number of quad bike accidents were reported in the Hunter over the long weekend, including one at Gloucester and two at Stockton.
The report, which was released yesterday, said nine of the 11 deaths were farm-related while quad bikes accounted for almost 50 per cent of all non-fatal on-farm accidents.
According to the report there has been 59 non-fatal quad bike related injuries so far this year.
Tocal College principal Cameron Archer said quad bikes were a useful but sometimes deadly tool for farmers.
“In my experience as an agricultural trainer and agriculturalist they can be a handy thing to have on a farm but also the most deadly thing on a farm,” he said.
“They have a relatively high centre of gravity and are prone to flipping either sideways or backwards and there is no protection for people when they overturn.”
Dr Archer said he believed that protective rollover bars should be mandatory.
“Some farms have abandoned their use and gone back to two-wheel motor bikes or the larger what they call side by side farm vehicles because of the dangers that quad bikes pose,” he said.
“They are very dangerous machines, the recreational situation is also unregulated and none of the workplace laws and sanctions are applicable.
“They are one of the highest killers of people on farms.”
Dr Archer said the main dangers from quad bikes came from their high centre of gravity, narrow wheelbase and riders carrying people and other loads.
Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety director Tony Lower said he had a simple message for quad bike users.
“Get rid of them and use a different vehicle,” he said.
“Unfortunately, that is not possible for everyone due to financial constraints.”
Mr Lower agreed that crush protection devices should be installed on all quad bikes.
“The biggest danger is a rollover,” he said.
“Sixty five per cent of deaths involve some sort of roll over for the vehicle, these bikes require perfect riding for an imperfect vehicle.
“The other big issue is head injuries, they account for a third of all fatalities, which obviously comes from failing to wear a helmet which is a pretty basic thing.”