The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) is calling for a ban on the use of quad bikes by children, following the latest death of a six-year-old girl.
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The young girl died in country NSW after a crash on a quad bike being driven by another 13 year old girl, taking the quad bike toll across Australia to 115 in the last seven years.
RACS Trauma Committee Chair Dr John Crozier said that since 2001 there have been 231 quad bike fatalities of which 35 (15 per cent) were children aged 14 years and younger.
“Quad bikes and kids do not mix. We need effective controls to prevent these tragedies,” Dr Crozier said.
Quad bikes had a high centre of gravity and a narrow wheelbase, making them unstable, the RACS said.
“Most injuries and deaths involve the bike rolling onto the rider and this can occur at low speeds,” Dr Crozier said.
The RACS said there was a link between the age and weight of people injured in quad bike accidents and the severity of the injuries they suffered.
