ACCC zooms in on ATV safety

Australia’s Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has proposed major changes to quad bike and side-by-side vehicle safety, including a proposal that crush protection or roll-over protection devices are integrated into the design of all new bikes.

The draft recommendation was made following an initial consultation process late last year with quad bike riders, manufacturers, farmers, academics, hospitals and more.

The ACCC has identified quad bike safety as one of many areas it intended to target in 2018 (as well as the Takata airbag recall), and today’s communique has now brought that issue to the front and centre.

As well as calling for crush protection, the ACCC has also proposed that Australia:

• Adopt the US Standard and requires an additional rollover warning label;
• Introduce a safety star rating system so safer vehicles get a higher rating; and
• Impose minimum performance tests for dynamic handling, stability and mechanical suspension and requires that all wheels be able to rotate at different speeds.

“The ACCC believes a mandatory safety standard incorporating all of these elements is the best option to save lives and make quad bikes safer for everyone. We invite the public and stakeholders to have their say on this important safety proposal,” ACCC Commissioner, Mick Keogh said.

The ACCC has developed a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement which outlines how stakeholders can send in submissions.

Submissions are due by May 4, 2018, before the ACCC makes a final recommendation to the federal government by mid-year.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries has always been opposed to crush protection, arguing that they can cause as many injuries as they prevent.

According to the ACCC, quad bike accidents result in an average of 16 deaths in Australia each year.