ROAD NEWS
MIA CALLS FOR SWEEPING
MANDATORY SAFETY RULES
avid Crawford, Chief Executive
Officer of the Motor Industry
Association says, “safe use of small
vehicles on farms such as farm
bikes, ATV (quad bikes) and side by side
vehicles is of paramount importance to
manufacturers, distributors, dealerships
and their customers”.
New Zealand and Australian coronial
inquests into ATV safety have all identified
several key interventions that would result
in a significant reduction in the rate of
serious injuries and fatalities from the use
of ATVs in work places. Key among these
are: Helmets should be compulsory for
all riders; Children under 16 years of age
should not be allowed to ride adult size
ATVs; Passengers should be banned from
single seat ATVs.
The Motor Industry Association of New
70 KIWI RIDER
Zealand has written to the Minister for
Work Place Safety, Hon Iain Lees-Galloway,
calling on him to mandate in work places
the compulsory wearing of helmets
when using an ATV or side-by-side utility
vehicles, banning the use of full size
ATVs by children under the age of 16 and
prohibiting passengers from single seat
ATVs. The MIA also requests Government
consider making it compulsory for seat
belts to be used when operating side-by-
side vehicles where these are fitted by the
manufacturer.
“Other important safety messag es are
for users to keep their vehicles well
maintained, ensure users are trained in
how to properly use them, never exceed
the manufacturers guidelines for loading
and towing, and select the right vehicle for
the job,” said Mr Crawford.