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A vehicle touted as safer than quad bikes is now leading killer on Australian farms
Jul
A farm vehicle often promoted as a safer alternative to the notoriously dangerous all terrain vehicle (ATV) has become the leading cause of unintentional deaths on Australian farms.
New statistics from AgHealth Australia show accidents involving side-by-side vehicles (SSVs) contributed the most to reported deaths on farms nationally in 2024, despite being fitted with seatbelts and rollover protection cages.
SSVs, also known as utility terrain vehicles (UTV), were involved in 14 deaths last year, up from four in 2023.
Quad bikes, the previous leading cause, were responsible for 10 deaths in 2024, up from five the previous year.
Overall, fatalities for 2024 more than doubled from the previous year, according to the data.
Manufacturer’s advice ignored
Felicity Richards, chair of Farmsafe Australia, said the number of farm deaths associated with SSVs was alarming.
“That suggests to me is that we’re not engaging with the manufacturer’s instructions, which are wear a helmet, wear a seatbelt,” she said.
“We’re actually turning something really useful into a really dangerous farm implement.”
Dean Johns has been dealing in ATVs, SSVs and motorbikes in north-west Tasmania for decades.
He agreed drivers should take more responsibility for how they operate vehicles.
“Even though it’s got a roll cage, you still have to wear a helmet,” he said.
“The roll cage is made out of metal, so if your head hits that you’re in trouble.
“If it hits a windscreen, you’re in trouble.
“You’ve got to wear the seatbelt, yes, you’ve got to wear the helmet, but the big emphasis should be on the people that are driving them.”
How are quad bikes and SSVs different?
An SSV looks like a buggy and is operated much like a vehicle, with a steering wheel and foot pedal to accelerate and brake.
They can be single or dual cab, fitting up to four people, typically with bench seats. It can also carry goods in the tray or be used to tow loads.
A quad bike is basically a motorbike on four wheels and is designed to carry the driver.
For decades, quad bikes have been the farm workhorse.
But they’ve had a shocking track record as the leading cause of farm deaths and accidents in Australia, typically from bikes rolling and crushing the rider.
