The government is reevaluating regulations for quad bike safety, which campaigners have deemed a “humiliating retreat” due to previous claims by ministers that adding roll bars could be more detrimental than beneficial.
Ministers had previously stated that a study conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) suggested that the use of roll bars could potentially lead to a higher likelihood of injury. However, this research was conducted in 1999, approximately ten years before the development of more advanced devices that have been proven to save lives, as supported by evidence from Australia and the US.
Currently, the HSE is conducting a new study to determine if the use of operator protection devices (OPDs), also known as fixed roll bars, could potentially prevent riders from being crushed underneath vehicles in the event of an overturn.
Quad bikes, or all-terrain vehicles, have no cab to protect riders if the vehicle rolls over, and dozens of people are believed to die in the UK each year in accidents involving them, many on farms.
In the year 2019, Ben Goldsmith’s daughter Iris, who was 15 years old, tragically passed away when her quad bike flipped over while she was riding it on their farm. Another quad bike accident on New Year’s Day in Oban resulted in the death of a 58-year-old man, and 22-year-old Grace Vater lost her life in a crash in Gloucestershire on Christmas Day.
Following the death of her husband Denis in 2021, Christine Lynn has been advocating for the implementation of safety measures on quad bikes by manufacturers. Denis, who was the founder of Finnebrogue food company, tragically passed away while driving at a speed of less than 10mph on his land in Downpatrick, County Down, when his quad bike overturned and fatally injured him.
Australia implemented regulations requiring all new quad bikes to have OPDs (occupant protection devices) installed, which are either circular or straight bars placed at the rear of the vehicle. These bars are designed to support the quad bike in case it overturns, allowing the rider to safely exit.
Lynn’s attempts to convince ministers to implement similar regulations were rejected because the HSE’s research indicated that the proposed protection measures were not safe. In a letter sent to her in May of last year, Transport Secretary Mark Harper stated that studies had found that the use of roll-over protective structures (ROPS) could potentially increase the risk of injury during overturns by possibly striking the driver or hindering their ability to escape.
However, in August, the HSE acknowledged in a response to a Freedom of Information request that the study was carried out in 1999 on previous ROPS models rather than the more recent ones.
Two companies in Australia and New Zealand make OPDs – the Quadbar was first manufactured in 2007 and became available in the UK in 2012, while the ATV LifeGuard arrived in 2014.
As of November of the previous year, individuals operating quad bikes in the Republic of Ireland are required to wear helmets, while they remain voluntary in the UK.
Lynn expressed her surprise at the UK government’s lack of action in regards to quad bike safety, given that Australia and the Republic of Ireland have recently implemented new laws. She believes this is due to the UK government relying on outdated research and not conducting its own review.
New evidence from both Australia and the US has demonstrated that the implementation of new safety measures for quad bike riders has proven effective in saving lives. It is crucial that we heed the example set by Australia and enact stricter laws for quad bike safety to prevent unnecessary loss of life, such as what my husband experienced. I am relieved to hear that the Health and Safety Executive has agreed to reassess the evidence after 25 years since their last evaluation.
A study conducted by the University of New South Wales revealed that 50% of fatalities from quad bike accidents involving rollovers could have been prevented if OPDs were installed. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission also discovered in 2019 that OPDs have the potential to save lives.
Margaret Ritchie, who raised concerns to government officials in the House of Lords about the lack of safety precautions, expressed disappointment in their reversal of stance. She plans to persist in advocating for changes to UK laws regarding quad bikes, aligning them with safety regulations in other nations like the Republic of Ireland and Australia. The need for improved safety standards is urgent, and prompt legislation is necessary to mandate additional safety measures.
In the summertime, a survey conducted by Savanta Comres revealed that 65% of the population agreed with the suggestion to make safety equipment mandatory on quad bikes.
The HSE stated that their investigation into this issue is still in the preliminary stages.
Source: theguardian.com
