ATV issues reiterated
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South Australian authorities are repeating their warnings after the deadliest year for ATV incidents in recent history.
South Australian authorities are urging heightened safety measures for quad bikes, side-by-side and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) users following a record number of fatalities in 2024.
The state's ATV death toll reached its highest level in recent years, with five lives lost in incidents involving quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles. This sombre milestone marked the first ATV-related fatalities in South Australia since 2021.
This year began tragically with the death of a side-by-side vehicle user on 14 January 2025.
The victim's vehicle rolled on a farming property in Tungkillo, bringing the total number of ATV-related deaths in South Australia to 11 since 2011.
Among the 2024 incidents, three men lost their lives in separate quad bike accidents in March and April. These occurred on private properties in the Adelaide Hills, Whites Flat, and Port Broughton.
Another fatality occurred in September, when a man was ejected from a side-by-side vehicle after a collision in South Australia's South East. Despite the vehicle being equipped with a seatbelt, the victim was not wearing one.
In late October, a Riverland farmer was crushed when his quad bike rolled over.
SafeWork SA has highlighted concerning practices among ATV users, such as disabling safety features.
Some operators bypass safety measures by securing the seatbelt behind them rather than wearing it, which increases the risk of severe injury or death. Speed, especially on uneven terrain, has been identified as a contributing factor in several incidents.
“Although they’re marketed as ‘go-anywhere vehicles’, they cannot be used safely on all types of terrain and are susceptible to rolling over,” said SafeWork SA Executive Director Glenn Farrell.
National data reveals that quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles are a leading cause of deaths on Australian farms.
Approximately half of quad bike fatalities result from rollovers, with even slow-speed incidents posing a significant risk due to the vehicles' weight, which can reach 400 kilograms.
Safe Work Australia reported 19 quad bike-related fatalities nationwide in 2024, contributing to a total of 212 deaths since 2011.
Authorities emphasise that these deaths are preventable if safety instructions are followed.
Key recommendations include wearing seatbelts, maintaining speed limits, and ensuring safety features are operational. Users are encouraged to visit the SafeWork SA website for detailed guidance on ATV safety.
