Industry group calls for quad bike safety rebate

AgForce has called the Qld Government to establish a quad bike safety program.

SAFETY STEP: AgForce says a quad bike safety rebate program would help save lives on Aussie farms. Picture: OLIVE MEDIA

DURING National Farm Safety Week, AgForce has called on the Queensland Government to establish a quad bike safety rebate to help save lives and prevent accidents on farms.

AgForce general president Grant Maudsley said the focus of National Farm Safety Week was on ideas and practices to promote an improved safety culture on Australian farms.

"Quad bikes are the biggest cause of death on Australian farms with over half of those due to the bikes rolling over and crushing or asphyxiating the rider,” Mr Maudsley said.

"In the past 15 years, 69 people have been killed in quad bike accidents in Queensland - almost a third of the national total - and many more have been injured.

"With quad bikes an essential piece of farm equipment for many farmers, investing in quad protection is vital.”

He said AgForce ensorsed policies that were incentive- based to help change behaviour rather than harsh regulatory penalties.

"AgForce encourages primary producers to operate quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles that are within manufacturer guidelines and fit for purpose, utilising training and using appropriate safety equipment,” he said.

"We believe State Govern- ment rebates towards the installation of operator and crush protection devices, alternative vehicles such as side-by-sides, and helmets, would go a long way towards improving quad bike safety on Queensland farms,” he said.

"With the Victorian and New South Wales governments introducing quad bike safety rebate programs, it's time a similar scheme was developed in Queensland.”