August 6, 2015
The RACQ has backed calls for better training and safety campaigns to protect Queenslanders using quad bikes.
A spokesman said that during the past 12 months, RACQ CareFlight Rescue crews had treated more than 15 patients injured in quad bike crashes and mishaps.
RACQ Executive Manager Technical and Safety Policy Steve Spalding said too many Queenslanders were being killed and seriously injured in quad bike incidents.
“We know quad bikes are an essential part of life on many farms, but more needs to be done to ensure vital safety precautions and training are undertaken,” Mr Spalding said.
“More education around rider responsibility will be a key component to potentially changing dangerous behaviours.
“The Coroner’s report shows head injuries account for a third of quad bike fatalities, and in 84 per cent of those cases people weren’t wearing helmets – a tragic statistic to consider.
“Certainly we’d like to see recreational quad bike riders using helmets as a matter of course, and RACQ will join the conversation on practical ways their implementation could be of use in day-to-day farming.”
Senior CareFlight Emergency Physician Doctor Tim Harraway said patients often have spinal and head injuries after quad bike crashes.
“The combination of not wearing a helmet and having the large, heavy vehicles roll on an adult or a child can cause very serious injury in a matter of seconds,” he said.
- Related article: Coroner Releases Quad Bike Findings
