Queensland extends consultation for quad bike safety laws

The Queensland Government has extended consultation on proposed new regulations to improve safety for people operating quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles (SSVs) in the workplace to Wednesday, 31 August 2022. Quad bikes and SSVs are a convenient and useful vehicle in rural workplaces, and an increasingly popular recreational and sporting vehicle. However, their use continues to be associated with a high number of injuries and fatalities. Queensland has a disproportionate share of national vehicle fatalities and injuries, with approximately one in five quad bike incidents resulting in a head injury and many of the injured not wearing a helmet or having adequate training.

Because of these factors, a Queensland coronial inquest into nine deaths involving quad bikes from 2012–2014 recommended introducing regulations to improve quad bike and SSV safety. Since the coronial inquest, safety awareness campaigns and changes have been implemented in Queensland to influence rider behaviour and improve safety. These include changed road rules and the ‘Ride ready’ safety campaign focused on training, wearing helmets, not allowing children on adult-sized quad bikes and other skill and safety messages.

Queensland is now investigating changes to existing safety regulations, including mandating helmet use; banning children on adult quad bikes and SSVs; passenger restrictions for some vehicles; and seat belt requirements for SSVs (if they are installed). Training requirements are also being investigated, while private use of quad bikes and SSVs outside of a workplace is not being considered. The Quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles safety – Proposed work health and safety regulations – Discussion paper details all the proposed changes.

Written submissions are sought from all interested parties on the specific questions and key issues identified in the discussion paper. The paper seeks feedback on the scope of the regulations and practical impacts for individuals, businesses and the broader community. The feedback will help shape the development of the proposed safety regulations under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011.

Community and industry input is invited; to take part, interested parties should head to Quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles safety – proposed work health and safety regulations for all the details. Submissions must be emailed to whspolicy@oir.qld.gov.au.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Steve Lovegrove