Leading quad bike manufacturers are sticking to their guns in the ongoing quad bike safety brouhaha saying the Victorian government’s recently released rebate scheme for Crush Protection Devices (CPDs) could be better spent.
The manufacturers, represented by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), said a more scientific approach to safety is needed.
“Victorian taxpayer money could be better spent on the strong promotion of known safety practices such as helmets and rider training,” the FCAI said.
The Victorian government rebate, more generous than the NSW rebate which kicked off last month, offers $600 for fitment of a CPD to each of a maximum of two quad bikes or $1200 toward a side by side vehicle.
Victoria’s WorkSafe authority mandated use of CPDs earlier this year drawing a strong response from the FCAI claiming little research had been done to test the effectiveness of the devices.
FCAI chief executive, Tony Weber, said there was “clearly a strong desire among the governments to be seen to do something to support ATV safety”.
“A rebate scheme has been rushed in to subsidise a so-called safety device which is not supported by scientific evidence.
“We believe the Victorian and NSW governments, in their rush to be seen to be doing something, are ignoring the best evidence available and using farmers to test an unproven and potentially dangerous product,” Mr Weber said.
The Victorian rebate is expected to be taken up by more than 5000 farmers and has been welcomed by key farm safety group, Farmsafe, and the Victorian Farmer’s Federation which will also be administering the rollout.
The FCAIs fallback position is that research undertaken by a US firm, Dynamic Research, shows CPDs for ATVs can cause as many new injuries as they may prevent.
“The industry’s strong conviction is that, much like the mandatory wearing of helmets for all motorcycle riders, we need a really big promotional push by government and safety authorities to also wear helmets,” Mr Weber said.
The group says research shows helmet use would see as much as a 60 per cent reduction in head injury.
The FCAI has also released a ‘5-Star Safety’ program outlining “safety practices aimed at improving outcomes”.
Former VFF president, Peter Tuohey said the Victorian funding is a major breakthrough in protecting farmers' lives.
"In 2015, there were 22 quad bike fatalities across Australia.
“It's an unacceptable toll and it's great the Victorian Government has taken action."