05:42 pm, Monday 30 July, 2012

The NSW Government will spend $1 million to help reduce incidents of quad bike deaths across the state.

The Minister for Finance and Services Greg Pearce said the money will be used to fund research into vehicle safety and improve quad bike protective devices and accessories.

“According to Farmsafe Australia, more than 150 people have died in quad bike incidents in the last 10 years, with almost nine out of 10 rollover deaths occurring on farms,” said Mr Pearce.

“Quad bikes are used extensively on farms for weed control, mustering, property inspections and maintenance work.

“Earlier this month a 13 year old girl died after falling off a quad bike near Wollongong – and last year the oldest victim from a quad bike fatality was a 94-year-old man.

“Every quad bike fatality is a tragedy and it’s time for researchers, regulators, manufacturers and the farming community to work together to improve safety for all quad bike users,” he said.

Mr Pearce added that the research will be conducted at the University of NSW’s Transport and Road Safety research facility.

“Through this $1 million research project, experts in vehicle safety will conduct a series of crash tests to identify engineering and design enhancements which could improve quad bike safety,” Mr Pearce said.

“Most fatalities are the result of head injuries or from being trapped under overturned vehicles and for the first time anywhere in the world, the role of protective systems in the prevention of asphyxia and serious chest injuries when a quad bike rolls over will be tested.

“The project will also consider the recommendation of a national safety standard for all quad bike manufacturers and suppliers.”

The research is expected to commence soon.

Report by Haydee - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know