MOTOR industry leaders have quit a national quad bike safety panel on the back of proposed manufacturing and operational rule changes to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities among users.
The ABC reported that the two motor manufacturing representatives on the national advisory body – the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and US-based industry expert Scott Kebschull – have quit the technical reference group that is examining the best way to improve quad bike safety.
Chamber chief executive Tony Weber said he had no confidence in the process and accused the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission of experimenting with the public by proposing untested manufacturing changes.
The groups is calling for a review of safety data on quad bikes.
The ACCC’s proposal included crush protection devices, mandatory minimum performance standards, and a guarantee that all wheels can spin at different speeds.
The ACCC argued the chamber had sought to hold off regulatory intervention.
“Manufacturers have not made any substantial changes to the design of quad bikes in the last 10 years,” an ACCC spokesperson said.
“While motor bikes, tractors, cars, utilities and trucks are subject to strict mandatory safety requirements, quad bikes are completely unregulated, even though quad bikes are suggested to be almost twice as lethal per kilometre of driving.”
The ACCC proposal included crush protection devices and mandatory minimum performance standards.
“The (chamber) has been vocal since the ACCC’s safety investigation was announced resisting any regulatory intervention.
“The ACCC is careful considering every submission, including from the (chamber) and manufacturers. We are also meeting again directly with quad bike manufacturers to further consult on proposed changes.”
The tit-for-tat continues a history of researchers and manufacturers failing to see eye-to-eye on safety.
Mr Weber said the chamber was not opposed to a star rating system if it were similar to the Australasian New Car Assessment Program and based on science and history.
“Anything that involves fatalities or injuries is very sad. Every death is a tragedy,” he said.
“...The US went down this path in the 80s and 90s. They started searching for an engineering solution and could not find one.
“What they did via law in 47 states is banned kids riding adult-sized quad bikes, mandated helmets, and there are no passengers allowed on single-seat ATVs. And there’s been a 50 per cent reduction in the death toll.
“Why don’t we copy the US experience… and keep our options open with engineering solutions?”
University of New South Wales' transport and road safety unit head Professor Raphael Grzebieta said the chamber was using delaying tactics to stop change.
SafeWork NSW says quad bikes have emerged as the leading cause of death and injury on Australian farms, with an average of 16 deaths nationally each year and 114 deaths total since 2011.
Since 2015 there have been coronial inquests into quad bike deaths in NSW, Queensland and Tasmania.
The National Farmers Federation, Rural Doctors Association of Australia, and NSW Farmers have all called called for a five-star system, while the Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety and Country Women's Association of Australia support the fitting of crush protection devices.
