Child Deaths (17) Operator Passenger Adult Youth Rollover Collision Unknown Number 12 5 12 1 4 15 1 1 Percentage 71 34 71 6 23 88 6 6 In the same period, four deaths were attributed to SSVs. These deaths most frequently involved a child operating a SSV and experiencing a rollover incident. Table 4: Breakdown of SSV deaths 2011–2017 Child/Adult Sex Cause of death Total Deaths (4) Child Adult Male Female Rollover Unknown Number 3 1 3 1 3 1 Percentage 75 25 50 50 75 25 Injuries The ACCC has estimated the number of injuries sustained as a result of the operation of quad bikes and SSVs from a number of sources. There is uncertainty associated with the estimates quoted below, as the ACCC has not been able to source a compilation of Australia-wide injury data for the most recent years. The Centre for Automotive Safety Research at the University of Adelaide examined Australian hospitalisation data for incidents involving quad bikes and SSVs over the period 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2013. Discounting cases that are unlikely to have involved the use of a quad bike or SSV, a total of 7194 hospitalisations occurred over the 11 year period (average of 654 per year or nearly two people per day). The number of ED presentations associated with quad bike and SSV injuries has been extrapolated from New South Wales and Queensland data. The result is an estimate of 2100–2500 ED presentations per year in Australia (average of six people per day). ED data for Queensland indicates the most common cause of injury was falling from the vehicle (over 40 per cent) and fractures accounted for approximately half of the hospitalisations. Rollovers accounted for 17.5 per cent of ED presentations and 34.8 per cent of ambulance attendances. A number of these injuries result in a permanent disability. The majority of these injuries are likely to be traumatic brain injuries and a small number are likely to be spinal cord injuries that result in paraplegia or quadriplegia. Further, a number of injury related amputations are attributed to incidents involving the use of these vehicles. It is difficult to measure the physical, emotional and social harm and disruption caused by deaths and injuries. However, this cost can be regarded as substantial with a broader impact beyond the injured vehicle operator, including families, friends, workplaces and the broader Australian community. Consumer Information
alerting consumers to the risk of rollovers, including when the risk of rollover is increased (e.g. on inclined terrain, whilst carrying a load, when there are hidden objects on the ground, wet or slippery surfaces) and how to best operate the vehicle safely in higher risk conditions. Figure 4 – proposed warning label ! WARNING ! HIGH RISK OF ROLLOVER DEATH AND INJURY EVEN ON FLAT TERRAIN AVOID STEEP INCLINES AVOID RIDING ACROSS SLOPES PLAN YOUR RIDE Option 2 further requires quad bikes and SSVs should be tested post-manufacture according to a safety star rating system and that the resulting safety star rating be displayed at the point of sale. This requirement is intended to provide consumers with more information about the safety of different quad bike models, allowing them to make more informed choices. Quad bikes and SSVs will be compared together under the safety star rating system to inform consumers of the relative safety of each of these types of vehicles. Table 6: Summary of Option 2 Proposed change Proposed requirements US Standard All quad bikes on sale in Australia shall comply with the requirements in the US Standard ANSI–SVIA 1–2017 Rollover warning All quad bikes on sale in Australia shall have the rollover warning label (above) affixed to the vehicle in a prominent position. Additionally the owner’s manual shall provide information alerting consumers to the risk of rollovers, when the risk of rollover is increased (e.g. on inclined terrain, whilst carrying a load, when there are hidden objects on the ground, wet or slippery surfaces) and how to best operate the vehicle safely in higher risk conditions. Safety star rating testing and display at point of sale and affixed to vehicle All quad bike and SSV models supplied in Australia shall undergo testing in accordance with the criteria in Attachment A and shall have a safety star rating awarded to each model. The awarded star rating must be displayed as a hangtag at the point of sale. Testing requirements A summary of the current UNSW TARS testing criteria is at Attachment A. It is possible that the testing criteria could change upon the ACCC’s consideration of the IDC’s recommendation of the safety star rating model. Benefits Adopting the US Standard will ensure all new quad bikes sold are subject to a minimum safety standard and will enable the enforcement of matters where there has been a departure from this minimum standard. This option will also provide key information about vehicle safety characteristics to consumers to better inform their purchase decisions.
Vehicle: ........................................................................................................ Turning radius (constant). ........................................................................... Ay = Lateral Acceleration H = Handlebar angle (degrees) R = Right Turn L = Left Turn Handlebar Angle – Characteristic Values Appendix 1 – 3 Presentation of Results 15 12 9 6 3 0 –3 –6 –9 –12 –15 -0.5 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 Vehicle: ........................................................................................................ Turning radius (constant). ...........................................................................