Quad bikes now to get ACC focus

[FastBikeGear]

(Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3107817/ACC-eyes-quad-bikes)

I wasn't convinced about 'Who's next" before but now I am.

Quad bike accidents are a big issue for ACC and are high on the corporation's radar.

The news comes after the death of 40-year-old Alton sharemilker Rhys Wilson in a quad bike accident on a Manutahi farm on Thursday.

ACC agricultural workplace programme manager Peter Jones said there were 400 serious entitlement claims nationally because of ATV accidents.

About 2000 medical claims where entitlement was not paid because injuries were minor and involved cuts, burns and scratches were also made.

"There is a human cost as well as a financial cost," he said.

Of the 400 claims made 200 involved accidents that happened during recreational use of ATVs, 150 were farm-related and 50 happened on the road.

Farm-related accidents seemed to be on the decrease, he said, while non-work related ones were on the rise. In Taranaki, the most recent figures available only cover July last year to March, but there have been 23 new entitlement claims and 46 active entitlement claims.

The cost of these active claims stands at about $685,000.

This is already more than the 2007-08 12-month period where the cost of 23 new claims and 37 active was $583,234.

Taranaki does not hold the title of the most claims made but Waikato, another big farming region, holds the top spot and Manawatu makes it into the top three, with Auckland in second place. The biggest bone of contention seemed to be whether or not roll bars fitted to the bikes were worthwhile.

While many manufacturers claimed they did not make a difference, Mr Jones said other evidence was to the contrary for the bikes with "poor error tolerance".

"I'm certainly not convinced of that. Roll bars could be worth fitting and if the bike lands on top of you there is some protection."

The corporation was working with other agencies including Federated Farmers and Farm Safe, who run a free ATV course.

"We're always trying to promote safety," said Mr Jones.

"We're constantly working on the issue. It's high on the radar for us."

It was essential to wear safety gear including helmets, boots and gloves and not let children ride ATVs unsupervised, he said.

Recently the Department of Labour said ATVs were the main cause of workplace deaths and urged farmers to ensure staff were giving safety equipment.

The department's chief adviser for health and safety Dr Geraint Emrys said ATVs were the most widely-used farm vehicles.

"It's imperative those who use them have the right training and equipment."

Referring to a case in the Palmerston North District Court where a farmer, Trevor Mark Schroder, was fined $25,000 and ordered to pay $20,000 reparation to his employee, John Haar, who suffered serious head injuries after an ATV accident in November last year, Dr Emrys said ATVs need to be respected.
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"The she'll be right attitude just doesn't cut it. ATVs need to be treated with respect. The consequences of not doing so can be significant."

[k2w3]

I just bought a little 50cc quad for my kids for Xmas. They'd better not ask me to fit a roll cage. The thing only does 15mph. They can fuck reet off.

[p.dath]

I don't know how many claims ACC gets every year, but it must be tens of thousands.

And they are focusing on 400 of them? And if they managed to make a 10% improvement, that'll bring down the total claims to ACC by 0.0000 ... something very small.

[Pedrostt500]

Roll Bars on Quads / ATVs are often more dangerious than not having them, the roll bar gets caught in low branches and flips the quad.

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Unbelievable. I have farmed for near on 40 years and I can’t understand the comments you make in here.

1 Trim the bloody trees or don’t ride under them. Yes it might take an hour a year but it might save a life. If the bike is out of control you are in trouble anyway and it is likely the tree is the least of your problems.

2 A roll bar will cost you very little compared to the trip to Hospital and the subsequent trips to fix your kids. What price do you put on your Children. 15 kmh is nothing unless you are on full lock facing down hill with the gas full on and the bike rolls on your child. It is not the speed that will hurt them.

3 If you are one of the 400 it would mean a lot to you.

No I am not part of the Government but a farmer. When we had private insurance, 10 years ago?, we did Farm Safe courses and purchased all the safety gear for the bikes and Machinery etc. Because we were paid/ saved money by taking responsibility for our actions we did it. Then the government changed and they chucked it all out and we went back to the no blame no care policy and things just went back to the way it was. As shown by the three posting here.

That is what is wrong with the current system. No one has to pay or be responsible cos every one will pay for me.
Privatize ACC and take responsibility for your actions.

[sAsLEX]

What about walking outside?

How much money has it cost us for two stupid aussies who walked a little close to a glacier.


Outside is dangerous, it should be banned.

[Max Headroom]

What about walking outside? How much money has it cost us for two stupid aussies who walked a little close to a glacier. Outside is dangerous, it should be banned.

Domestic kitchens should definitely be banned.

Domestic bathrooms with wet floors should also be banned.

[Swoop]

Very topical.

A local farmer has told me directly, that he has rolled his quadbike. He then proceeds to inform me that both his son and his daughter have BOTH rolled theirs.
They are NOT city-slickers moving to the country, but established farmers for over 40yrs.

[sAsLEX]

Very topical.

A local farmer has told me directly, that he has rolled his quadbike. He then proceeds to inform me that both his son and his daughter have BOTH rolled theirs.
They are NOT city-slickers moving to the country, but established farmers for over 40yrs.

I have rolled a quad bike. On numerous occasions. No injuries. Having no cage means you can vacate the thing in case of accident.

[k2w3]

Who said I wasn't taking responsibility for my actions? My kids won't be riding on any slopes. They will be riding along the wide open spaces of the flat sandy beach, near to where I live. And I shall be closely watching them.

[sAsLEX]

Who said I wasn't taking responsibility for my actions? My kids won't be riding on any slopes. They will be riding along the wide open spaces of the flat sandy beach, near to where I live. And I shall be closely watching them.

I have had a bike, albeit a trike, flip over me in my go cart on the beach due to an errant sandcastle that wasn't seen in time.

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Very topical.

A local farmer has told me directly, that he has rolled his quadbike. He then proceeds to inform me that both his son and his daughter have BOTH rolled theirs.
They are NOT city-slickers moving to the country, but established farmers for over 40yrs.


And you don’t see a problem with this? If the full cost of the accidents fell back on the farmer they might fix the problem. Like when it costs you $45K cos the court see's it differently. Ie repair the tracks, not take the risk on/in that paddock etc. Accidents happen. I know, I have had a few too but I have tried to fix the problems.

My point is we must start to take responsibility for what we do.

Remember when truck drivers drove for 36 hour stints? The most I have ever done is 19 hours. That was hard enough. Talk to the drivers now and most of them are happy to drive the 11 hours and have a sleep. Might not be “ tuff” but they stay alive. So it is with the quads. Try and fix the problem instead of just pushing on and repeating the same old accidents. One day you just might not get away and it will put you in a wheel chair. Then you have to ask “ Was it worth it” but worse than that, “ Can I stop others doing the same?”

I think we have become so anti establishment that we can’t see the wood for the trees.

[Gixxer 4 ever]

I have rolled a quad bike. On numerous occasions. No injuries. Having no cage means you can vacate the thing in case of accident.

Fair enough. Hope you keep winning with them.


Who said I wasn't taking responsibility for my actions? My kids won't be riding on any slopes. They will be riding along the wide open spaces of the flat sandy beach, near to where I live. And I shall be closely watching them.


Cool, Hope they have a ball. Mine always did and loved every minute of it.

[FJRider]

I have had a bike, albeit a trike, flip over me in my go cart on the beach due to an errant sandcastle that wasn't seen in time.

And a half buried log ... or a soft spot that one wheel hits ...

flat beaches often aren't ...

[Conquiztador]

I don't think I EVER seen a farmer with a helmet on, be that a quad or a 2 wheel mud bike.

[sAsLEX]

And a half buried log ... or a soft spot that one wheel hits ...

flat beaches often aren't ...

A lot safer learning throttle control and steering on a loose surface than trying it on the street.


You could always do what we did and mark out tracks on a known stretch of sand........


oh thats right that safety nazis want to ban all fun.


You aren't allowed on the beaches on motorized fun anymore. Murawai a case and point. At local meetings the main proponents of closing the beach has been the operators of the Sandpit, 4x4 park and the like, not the locals or users of the beach.........

[sAsLEX]

I don't think I EVER seen a farmer with a helmet on, be that a quad or a 2 wheel mud bike.

Dont see many people shower with helmets on either and many head injuries have resulted from slipping in bathrooms.....

[FJRider]

A lot safer learning throttle control and steering on a loose surface than trying it on the street.


You could always do what we did and mark out tracks on a known stretch of sand........


oh thats right that safety nazis want to ban all fun.


You aren't allowed on the beaches on motorized fun anymore. Murawai a case and point. At local meetings the main proponents of closing the beach has been the operators of the Sandpit, 4x4 park and the like, not the locals or users of the beach.........

The kicker is ... beaches that are available to/for public access ... are actually (in law) public roads ...

[Swoop]

And you don’t see a problem with this?
Strangely enough, yes I did.
The cow-cockey, on the other hand...:blink:

[neels]

So it's wrong for the local 5 year olds to be tearing around on the empty section next door on a little 50cc quad bike? Here come the fun nazi's to take all your toys away.

[NONONO]

So it's wrong for the local 5 year olds to be tearing around on the empty section next door on a little 50cc quad bike? Here come the fun nazi's to take all your toys away.
Two words;
Swimming pools.
Used to be something you could have fun with, now fenced off danger areas akin to minefields.

[FastBikeGear]

Unbelievable. I have farmed for near on 40 years and I can’t understand the comments you make in here.

1 Trim the bloody trees or don’t ride under them. Yes it might take an hour a year but it might save a life. If the bike is out of control you are in trouble anyway and it is likely the tree is the least of your problems.

2 A roll bar will cost you very little compared to the trip to Hospital and the subsequent trips to fix your kids. What price do you put on your Children. 15 kmh is nothing unless you are on full lock facing down hill with the gas full on and the bike rolls on your child. It is not the speed that will hurt them.

3 If you are one of the 400 it would mean a lot to you.

No I am not part of the Government but a farmer. When we had private insurance, 10 years ago?, we did Farm Safe courses and purchased all the safety gear for the bikes and Machinery etc. Because we were paid/ saved money by taking responsibility for our actions we did it. Then the government changed and they chucked it all out and we went back to the no blame no care policy and things just went back to the way it was. As shown by the three posting here.

That is what is wrong with the current system. No one has to pay or be responsible cos every one will pay for me.
Privatize ACC and take responsibility for your actions.

You make some great points.

[Gixxer 4 ever]

So it's wrong for the local 5 year olds to be tearing around on the empty section next door on a little 50cc quad bike? Here come the fun nazi's to take all your toys away.

Not at all. But I note we all wear gloves and helmets on the road. So if you can get them for the kids on their 50cc why wouldn’t you? My own kids all rode bikes from age 4-5 on They started on an MR50. We gave them a helmet to wear. This thread was not about taking the fun away it was about limiting the risk. Common sense stuff. Due to a no faults system, we seem to have lost the common sense aspect of life. When we have to pay for our own mistakes I bet the common sense will return. After all aren’t we fighting to keep the "collective pays" option with ACC? Why? So we don’t have to limit the risk cos some one else will pay?

As for the pool comment NONONO..... Have you seen the grief on a Mother or Fathers face when their child is found dead in a pool? Would you want to pull the fence down so you don’t have to open the gate and let a child or two die in your pool? I don’t think so. Are pool fences that bad?

[Gixxer 4 ever]

You make some great points.

Thank you. I note you edited your reply. I know I have made a simplistic statement and there are a lot of things that can't and will not be covered by the private insurance idea but I am trying to comment on each of us taking the initiative and limiting the risk. We just don’t do as well as we should when we have a big umbrella of ACC no faults covering us. How many times do you have to flip a quad before you realise it might not be the fault of the bike? <_<

[FastBikeGear]

Thank you. I note you edited your reply.

Yes I moved my comments into a new thread here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=114021

[Pixie]

I have rolled a quad bike. On numerous occasions. No injuries. Having no cage means you can vacate the thing in case of accident.

Yeah,and there have been people who have crippled themselves doing the same thing

[FastBikeGear]

Yeah,and there have been people who have crippled themselves doing the same thing

My elderly father who was still working depite being over 80 rolled his ride on Lawn Mower down a bank earlier this year and ended up with it landing on him and breaking his ribs and arm in three places and has consequently been on ACC ERC ever since.