Call for greater reform after girl’s quad bike death

[Pelican Press 0]

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Call for greater reform after girl’s quad bike ******

Tougher quad bike safety laws are needed after a 14-year-old girl ***** in a bushland rollover while driving with a friend, a coroner has urged.

The girl was thrown from the all-terrain vehicle when she lost control on a grassy slope at a property in southern Tasmania on February 13, 2023.

Neither the girl, who hasn’t been named, nor her 14-year-old passenger were wearing seatbelts.

Since 2011, 206 people have ***** in quad bike accidents across Australia and almost one fifth were aged 19 or under.

“For a number of years, coroners in Australia have investigated many deaths associated with the use of (all-terrain vehicles) or quad bikes,” coroner Robert Webster said.

“These vehicles have a tendency to tip or roll over when moving at speed, on rough terrain or across inclines.”

Mr Webster called on the Tasmanian government to consider law changes to ban children under 16 from operating ****** quad bikes.

National safety guidelines say children under 16 should not ride ******-sized quad bikes – but this is not a legal requirement in all jurisdictions.

Mr Webster said safety reforms had been made in Tasmania since a 2017 investigation into several quad bike deaths, but more work was needed.

“There is still no requirement for people to be trained to ride a quad bike outside of the workplace or be licensed,” he said.

“There are no restrictions on the age of the rider or driver of a quad bike or a vehicle such as (the one in) this case.”

A state government spokeswoman said the coroner’s report and recommendations would be considered.

Quad bike safety in Tasmania had been significantly improved by making helmets mandatory, a public awareness campaign, and training and information resources, she said.

The girl often visited the property and first drove the quad bike, which was unregistered, two years earlier.

She was taught to drive by a man, who also wasn’t named in the coroner’s report, who owned the property.

The bike was in “very poor” condition but none of its defects, including surface rust across all exposed metal on its undercarriage, contributed to the ******, Mr Webster said.

The girl was described as a very good student who enjoyed track and field sports events, loved music and animals, and had a large circle of friends.

She wanted to one day own land, care for lots of animals and work as a vet.

Mr Webster commended the girl’s friend for trying to save her before paramedics arrived.

He also said the government should consider including the quad bike model involved in the ******, a Polaris Ranger 904cc, as part of the road rules.

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