Measures introduced to reduce quad bike deaths are helping, but more needs to be done.
New research shows there has been a small reduction in quad bike deaths at work in Australia since new safety standards were introduced five years ago, but public health experts say more needs to be done to keep Australians safe at work and on farms.
The research, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, was led by academics at the University of Sydney who analysed quad bike-related deaths between 2001 and 2024 to provide a preliminary assessment of the impact of new safety standards introduced in 2020 and 2021.
The standards required all vehicles to meet a stability standard to reduce roll-overs, the fitting of an Operation Protector Device to reduce crush and asphyxiation injuries, and tags and labels featuring safety warnings.
The preliminary data shows that across the country, the rolling four-year totals of work-related quad bike deaths peaked in 2016-17, but dropped in 2024 after the new safety measures were introduced.
The authors also found that death toll trends varied by state and territory. While work-related quad bike deaths dropped after 2020 in Victoria and Queensland, NSW experienced a small rise.
Nationally, after the standard was introduced there was also a small reduction in roll-over deaths, with Victoria experiencing a significant drop in this type of fatality.
Lead author Tony Lower said while the national drop in work-related quad bike deaths was not statistically significant, the initial findings were encouraging.
He said the study also provided insights into what can be done to save more lives.
“One of the most notable findings in this study was that there was a significant reduction in quad bike deaths related to roll-overs in Victoria — beyond any reduction we saw in other states or territories,” he said.
“When the safety standard was introduced, the Victorian Government also put a focus on retrofitting existing vehicles with Operator Protector Devices.
“Victoria was also more proactive in requiring several other safety approaches such as helmet use and equipment maintenance — issuing a lot more improvement or prohibition notices. This is a model that other states should follow.
“To continue to keep Australians safe at work, we need to ensure compliance with the standard and extend these safety features to older quad bikes.”
Public Health Association of Australia chief executive officer Terry Slevin said in addition to a number of deaths, about 1000 serious injuries a year resulted from quad bike use.
“Measures to reduce this toll are welcome and appear to be helping,” he said.
“But more should be done. Enforcement and compliance are essential for the new standards to have a genuine effect.”