THE consumer watchdog says 14 Australians have been killed in quad bike related accidents in the first six months of this year.
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The deaths, including three children, are six more than the total number of people killed from quad bike related accidents in 2019.
According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) since 2011, 150 people have died from quad bike related accidents, including 23 children.
In addition, six people present to hospital each day as a result of quad bike related injuries.
ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said quad bikes were an important part of rural life but the ongoing fatalities and serious injuries were incredibly concerning.
He said the fatalities and serious injuries highlighted the importance of the federal government's new Quad Bike Safety Standard, with the first stage beginning on October 11.
"For many years, manufacturers have been claiming rider behaviour is the major reason for the number of deaths and injuries, Mr Keogh said.
"Their aim has been to shift the focus away from the unsafe design of quad bikes.
"The truth of the matter is, the inherent instability of quad bikes causes them to frequently roll over. It has been reported that at least eight of the fatalities so far this year involved rollovers, with four of them resulting in crush injuries."
Research from the University of New South Wales showed that almost half of quad bike accidents involved riders who had 20 or more years of experience operating them, while less than two per cent of accidents involved an operator with less than three years' experience.
"As October 11 draws closer, misinformation and scare campaigns from groups opposed to the new safety standard have ramped up, and that's been very disappointing to see," Mr Keogh said.
"Top of the list is the suggestion that because some quad bike manufacturers have threatened to stop selling in Australia due to the new safety requirements, farmers will lose a critical piece of farm machinery. If a manufacturer withdraws from Australia, others will willingly step in to provide the safer quad bikes.
"We've also heard nonsense claims that improved quad bike stability and rollover protection devices, as required under the safety standard, will increase fatalities as riders will have a false sense of security.
"If this argument was applied to the design of cars, none of the modern safety features would be available, and the nearly 70 per cent decline in road fatalities since the mid-1970s would not have occurred.
"Of course, it is important to always ride safely but the new safety measures will go a long way to reducing deaths as they are designed to reduce the frequency and impact of quad bike rollovers.
"Federal and state governments have spent significant money on education campaigns, training, rebate schemes, and Honda and Yamaha also provide accredited training courses. Yet, quad bike fatalities continue to occur at an unacceptable rate, and that shows education and training alone is not an adequate long-term solution."
The ACCC has produced two new videos to help consumers and suppliers understand the new safety standard ahead of its introduction later this year. One of the ACCC's videos, shot in country Victoria, shows how easily a quad bike can tip over and trap its rider. THe second video shows what suppliers must do to comply with the new standard.
The ACCC also reminded people of the risks associated with riding side-by-side vehicles (SSVs), which can be similar to quad bikes.
"We have seen an increase in in fatalities and serious injuries linked with SSVs because people are not practicing safe use. Always wear a helmet and use a seat belt every time you get into these vehicles," Mr Keogh said.
More information for consumers and businesses or suppliers is available on the Product Safety Australia website.
