{"id":124573,"date":"2015-10-22T03:01:29","date_gmt":"2015-10-21T17:01:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=124573"},"modified":"2020-11-09T13:11:14","modified_gmt":"2020-11-09T03:11:14","slug":"new-helmet-law-for-quad-bike-riders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2015\/10\/22\/new-helmet-law-for-quad-bike-riders\/","title":{"rendered":"New Helmet Law For Quad Bike Riders"},"content":{"rendered":"
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RACQ CareFlight helicopter at the scene of a quad bike accident (Photo: RACQ CareFlight)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

October 22, 2015<\/strong><\/p>\n

New laws will soon make it compulsory for quad bike riders and their passengers to wear helmets when using public roads or related spaces.<\/p>\n

RACQ Executive Manager Technical and Safety Policy Steve Spalding said new mandatory helmet rules which come into effect on November 1 would help save lives.<\/p>\n

\u201cToo many Queenslanders are being killed and seriously injured in quad bike incidents, so this is a good first step in improving quad bike safety,\u201d Mr Spalding said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever we\u2019d encourage the use of helmets wherever possible, particularly when it comes to off-road recreational riders.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know quad bikes are an essential part of life on many farms, and it\u2019s vital that all quad biker riders are fully aware of the dangers these very capable machines pose if used incorrectly or unsafely.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr Spalding said the law change was a direct result of recommendations from the State Coroner\u2019s investigation into quad bike-related deaths.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Coroner\u2019s report shows head injuries account for a third of quad bike fatalities, and in 84 per cent of those cases people weren\u2019t wearing helmets,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

CareFlight critical care doctor Juni Jobson said RACQ CareFlight Rescue crews flew to the aid of 87 people injured in recreational vehicle accidents in 2014-15.<\/p>\n

\u201cSevere injuries are mainly caused by lack of helmets or other protective equipment, rider inexperience or dangerous behaviour,\u201d Dr Jobson said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOften riders assume four wheels offer better stability than a two-wheeled motorbike, however, at moderate speeds and on slopes quad bikes are prone to tipping and rolling.<\/p>\n

\u201cCareFlight and its crew are fully supportive of this new initiative which will save lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

The State Government has written to existing registered quad bike owners to advise them of the change, which carries a $282 fine for non-compliance.<\/p>\n

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