Researchers in New Zealand and Australia examining the number of quad bike fatalities in both countries say there should be a combined approach to tackling safety issues.
The study, published today in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, examined the coronial files from 101 quad-related fatalities: 69 in Australia and 32 in New Zealand. They found the fatality rates were similar between countries, and most involved males, occurred on farms and about half were work-related.
University of Otago’s Dr Rebbecca Liley told Newstalk ZB the results supported a “harmonised approach” between the two countries, where prevention efforts were co-ordinated and could join forces to advocate engineering improvements from the vehicles’ offshore manufacturers.
Most of the injuries involved a ‘rollover’, but while a 2014 report recommended roll bars, no new safety measures have been enforced.
The research was covered by local media, including:
NZ Herald: Quad bike deaths similar across Tasman
Newstalk ZB: Trans-Tasman approach needed to tackle quad bike safety
TVNZ: NZ and Australia have eerily similar quad bike stats
Newshub: NZ, Australia have similar quad bike stats