THE death of a 12-year-old boy from a quad bike accident on a south-west dairy farm last week once again highlights the issues around these dangerous machines.
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Quad bikes can be lethal for adults let alone youngsters yet parents on farms routinely allow their children to use them.
Since 2000, 140 Australians have died in quad bike incidents. Most deaths are a result of head injuries, asphyxia or serious chest injuries from being trapped by overturned vehicles.
In Australia last year, 21 children under the age of 16 were injured in quad bike accidents, representing 27 per cent of all injuries.
Twenty-one people died on quad bikes, with three of those aged 16 and under.
It is an unacceptable death toll.
We should also not forget that for every death there are many other children and adults who suffer serious injury.
Every farmer who is a parent would be aware of the dangers of letting young people ride these machines, yet they continue to let their sons and daughters risk their lives.
Children under the age of 16 should not be allowed to ride quad bikes and helmets should be compulsory for all other riders and manufacturers should be compelled by law to provide mandatory training courses.
Anyone who flouts these rules should automatically face prosecution.
It might sound harsh and unnecessary to those who work on the land and who use quad bikes daily without incident, but the law as it stands is way too relaxed and the statistics prove it.
Health experts have been calling for tougher laws in relation to quad bikes for years yet nothing has happened.
It would be a challenge to enforce a law on rural properties that banned under-16s from riding or made helmets compulsory but it would be a step in the right direction.
But if farmers knew they were breaking the law it might be enough to make them think again.
It might also be enough to save a young life.
