Letter to the Quad Bike Safety Taskforce
Thank you for the opportunity to provide a response to the 'Quad Bike Safety in Tasmania' issues paper developed by the Quad Bike Safety Taskforce.
RACS commends Mr Guy Barnett and the Taskforce in its endeavour to look at
innovative state-wide strategies to improve safety outcomes for quad bike users, and wholeheartedly supports the
key safety actions listed in the paper.
RACS is extremely concerned about the increasing number of deaths and major injuries as a result of quad bike use. Trauma surgeons who manage these injuries on a far too regular basis are acutely aware of the inherent dangers of quad bikes and have been advocating for quad bike safety for decades.
The following key messages are imperative for quad bike safety:
- Quad bikes and kids do not mix
- An independent quad bike safety assessment program is needed to help inform the customer of their
- purchase choice as recommended by the Victorian, Queensland and New South Wales coroners. The well known ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) safety rating program is a fine example of a safety initiative that provides consumers with transparent information on occupant protection and collision avoidance capabilities.
The RACS submission to the Tasmanian Coronial Inquiry in April 2016 (attached) provides more detail into the
background and the issues surrounding the dangers of quad bike use. Tragically many of the deaths and major
injuries occur in children under the age of 16.
RACS is keen to assist with the promotion of any campaign surrounding quad bike safety and the advocacy of the
key messages as listed above.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Girish Pande, FRACS
Dr John Crozier, FRACS
Chair Tasmanian Regional Committee Binational Trauma Committee Chair