OZ ATV :: The Australian ATV Forum

[Dino]

Interesting article and comments here.
http://theland.farmonline.com.au/news/nationalrural/machinery-and-equipment/general/helmets-polarising-quad-bike-debate/2423124.aspx?storypage=0
In Qld, the Minister concerned released this statement:
http://www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=78231
Uhmm, the figures and statistics don't include some details like whether kids, visitors or the very old were riding. Solo or doubled. Actually working. or the few backpackers that were high on life, and short on experience.
They just look at the results. Which was 23 dead for 2011.

Given the shear number of users and hours actually worked in farming, I don't believe that that number is a big percentage.
What do we think?
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[yogie]

without even reading the links, I think anyone not wearing a helmet on a quad or a two wheeler is just asking for trouble and is on his/her way to becoming a stat we all dont want to read about on here.

and I'd like to see here that any picture of a person riding a quad without a helmet be removed, but that just MY own opinion.
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[Linc]

I see the farmers point of view but I also see other unsafe practices in all walks of life. Every thing we do has some sort of risk; you can not eliminate it, but you can reduce it.

Surely there is a practicle compromise, there are bicycle or maybe one of those chopper "peanut" helmets that could fill the void. I know these helmets will never offer the protection a MX style helmet will but it has to be better than nothing.

One thing that needs to be made clear to authorities is that this is not a quad problem its a people problem.

[Dino]

Linc wrote:

I see the farmers point of view but I also see other unsafe practices in all walks of life. Every thing we do has some sort of risk; you can not eliminate it, but you can reduce it. Surely there is a practicle compromise, there are bicycle or maybe one of those chopper "peanut" helmets that could fill the void. I know these helmets will never offer the protection a MX style helmet will but it has to be better than nothing. One thing that needs to be made clear to authorities is that this is not a quad problem its a people problem.

BINGO!
The broad outline of the proposal is
"• guidelines requiring farm workers to wear helmets while operating quad bikes on farms
• prohibiting children under 16 years of age from operating adult quad bikes on farms
• ensuring buyers have better information about appropriate quad bikes at the point of sale
• ensuring farm workers who have to operate quad bikes are correctly trained. "

The small print is suggesting alternative helmet designs and under 30km/h, no helmet needed.
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[NeKeleC]

What!!! no helmet needed at under 30km/h??!! what crap what farmer would ride along making sure he doesn't go over 30 just so he doesn't need a helmet!?!?!
why not make it OK to not wear a seat belt in your car when driving in school zones!! your only doing less than 40 right!!!
The law is already there it state's you must wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle (full stop). The police have the power to enforce this law!! that's right they have the right to come onto private property and fine you for not wearing a helmet and for not wearing a seatbelt while riding or driving on private property!!!
Now before you go "oh mister goody two shoes" on me, I bring these points up to highlight the fact that you are all barking up the wrong tree.
The government doesn't give a "profanity removed" about your safety or whether you wear a helmet or not it's all about legislation and revenue. It's easy for them to pass legislation to make farmers have to do a quad bike safety course or a bike shop spend all the money on training for their staff to ensure they "pass on all the relevant information" and have it self regulated and every now and then they can send out an "officer" to ensure you have put all this in place "and what's this it's not done" wammo $5000 fine!!! bit better and easier than the police having to do their job and hand out a $200 fine!!!
Think about it how many do you see everyday not using the indicator on their car yet do you ever hear of anybody getting fined for it??? why not it's $120 and 1 point!! and is probably the main cause of most accident's well it's easier (and cheaper) to put up a few ad's telling everyone that speed in the main killer then buy 20 more speed camera's more revenue!!!

Anyway all that you have highlighted in the proposal is already in place now, you must already wear a helmet, large quads already labelled to ban under 16's from ridding them, info already given at point of sale, but ahh yes the farmer being trained I think I mentioned something about that and it being self regulated (like all training) and being easy for the government to enforce!!!!

The sad thing in all this is the selfish 23 idiots that were killed doing an idiot thing and not wearing their helmets and killed themselves on their farm and left their loved one's without a son, daughter, mum, dad, uncle, brother, aunty, sister, etc just cause "it's too hot, it's too uncomfortable" etc I'm sorry if you don't like my view but it's just that "my view".

And yes as Linc said "it's not a quad problem it's a people problem!!!!"

Dino, I in no way am directing any of this at you!! you do an awesome job of bring all this info to us!!!
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[priesty]

Linc wrote:

this is not a quad problem its a people problem.

This is it in a nutshell.
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08 700xx

[Dino]

http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/workplace/resources/pdfs/rural-plant-COP-2004-draft-public-comment.pdf
Section 8.4
The section in red, titled ATV, will go to be replaced by the section in yellow, titled quad bike. Ag bikes are also getting changed.

It's a little word play from should wear helmets to must according to AS 1698 or alterate helmet to NZ 8600:2002.
The wording has changed yet again, btw. Previously it included no helmet below 30km/h.

Necelec is quite right about them not caring, they are doing it to bring them in line with the National Standard, and they have to consult. That is part of the act. Otherwise they just impose their ideas.

You can provide comments via email to whspolicy@justice.qld.gov.au using the consultation document until 31 March 2012.

However, outside of competitive events, no legislation/regulation existed about helmets on quads being compulsory in Qld. "Should" in work situations was as close as it got, and in conditional registration, which is all policy & not legislation, helmet use is entirely left to the discretion of the authorities providing written permision.
( Police, and/or Road owner/manager and/or Land owner/manager.)

Rego-ed quads have never been under the rulings for motor-bikes up here, because TMR reckon all you need to drive a quad is a car license because a quad has 4 wheels. Nothing at all about PPE. No enclosed footwear, gloves, helmets, riding apparell, nothing.
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Last edited by Dino on Fri Jan 20, 2012 10:06 am; edited 1 time in total

[amitch888]

priesty wrote:

Linc wrote: this is not a quad problem its a people problem. This is it in a nutshell.

Couldn't agree more!

[mitch41]

Well, if the farmers wore their helmets more often and got used to wearing them it wouldn't be a problem.

[muzzgit]

Same argument has been going on with farmers riding horses. One very large station owner in the kimberley has made it a condition of employment that all workers / farmhands / roustabouts wear the appropriate helmet when working with horses.

They have even been active in designing horse riding helmets with added sun protection.

I wonder if the helmets worn by horse riders could be acceptable for farm quads?
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[priesty]

Statistics show that more people are injured by horses than quads.
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08 700xx

[bullet]

priesty wrote:

Statistics show that more people are injured by horses than quads.

Well it's good to see that the introduction of ATV's on farms have saved so many lives since the 80's then.

I must have missed that good news story on Quads
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[skidplate]

Nanny state.

Roughly 1 in 100 car drivers will die in an accident.
Roughly 1 in 10 motorbike riders will perish.
Roughly 2 out of 3 smokers will die of a smoking related illness.
That is 1 in 1.5.
Smoking is legal.

Why not drive a car wearing seat belts and a helmet ?
Suggest compulsory knee protection and lightweight helmets for pedestrians. Full body armour.

Bob, Paul, John,Kevin, Julia know better than you.
You should not have a say regarding your safety, you should have rules.
Why do most of us use gloves, goggles, etc ?
These are not demanded by law.

Education is needed.
Nanny state.

[priesty]

Julia will need head protection herself the way she's goin..
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08 700xx

[wa5]

It would need to be bullet proof...

[priesty]

If she stuck her head up her ar$e she'd be safe, it's big enough.

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08 700xx

[Dino]

The newspaper actually follwed up on this!
http://theland.farmonline.com.au/news/nationalrural/machinery-and-equipment/general/helmets-polarising-quad-bike-debate/2423124.aspx?storypage=0
A lot of similar views to what`was expressed here.
OMG! Does that mean this forum is representative of quad riders?
_________________
Remember. We elect politicians, but we have to deal with bureaucracy.
Notice that crazy in the bureaucrats.

[ozquad44]

Any of you blokes ever died of heat stroke wearing a helmet??? C'mon now speak up....

I never ride any of my Quad/Trikes/Push Bikes/Scooters/motorbikes/Horses etc... without a helmet. And I've raced and worked with ATV's in all sorts of heat for years. I can't honestly see what the fuss is about.

If your riding anything that can move faster than walking pace, which has the ability to fall on you and smash your head to bits. Or if its possible too fall off the thing your riding. Why the hell wouldn't you want to wear a helmet?

Too many people with too few brain cells to protect. That's the real issue here.

Don't get me started on ROPS on Quads, I'm guessing the guy who thought that little pearl up was the same guy who though he would die because his head would get too hot in a helmet.
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[The Dude]

Regardless of situation (farm, race, dunes, etc). NO HELMET, NO PLAY!
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Last edited by The Dude on Wed Mar 07, 2012 9:11 am; edited 1 time in total

[Earthmover]

Akubra mate! When we are just moving from under a shady tree to load the Quads up on the trailer we dont wear our helmets so lock me up. I've seen a 10yo farm boy driven a nice mack flat top semi from one block to another using harveys range Developmental road to do so and my 14yo girl has got more experience driving trucks and heavy machinery then most blokes dream about. I never wore a helmet when i was on the farm as a young lade, riding three up with shovels and hoes in hand going flat-out or towing a 1 ton dog trailer loaded with 2 full racks of plant seadlings (aprox30,000plant) ezy 2.5 ton gross behind a honda 500 not to metion smoking weed & drinking johnny by 9 o'clock how manny blokes on here still do the last 2 things when they go riding with mates ha be honest ??? so to the point helmet on farms? still no sorry! helmet when i'm tearing up a track absolutely definitely.
Seem like to me the only pepole willing to comment are those that agree. what's the opinions of the ones that disagree? or maybe i shoud ask what do you blokes do to the ones that disagree?
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[The Dude]

Earthmover wrote:

Akubra mate! When we are just moving from under a shady tree to load the Quads up on the trailer we dont wear our helmets so lock me up. I've seen a 10yo farm boy driven a nice mack flat top semi from one block to another using harveys range Developmental road to do so and my 14yo girl has got more experience driving trucks and heavy machinery then most blokes dream about. I never wore a helmet when i was on the farm as a young lade, riding three up with shovels and hoes in hand going flat-out or towing a 1 ton dog trailer loaded with 2 full racks of plant seadlings (aprox30,000plant) ezy 2.5 ton gross behind a honda 500 not to metion smoking weed & drinking johnny by 9 o'clock how manny blokes on here still do the last 2 things when they go riding with mates ha be honest ??? so to the point helmet on farms? still no sorry! helmet when i'm tearing up a track absolutely definitely. Seem like to me the only pepole willing to comment are those that agree. what's the opinions of the ones that disagree? or maybe i shoud ask what do you blokes do to the ones that disagree?

Cool story, Bro..

"what do you blokes do to the ones that disagree?"

We laugh at you and tell you "told you so" when you finally do fall off.
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[gazman]

Bareheaded motorcyclist dies in helmet protestBy Nina Raja, CNN
July 5, 2011 -- Updated 0220 GMT (1020 HKT)

Motorcycle helmet use dropped from 67% in 2009 to 54% in 2010, according to a national highway safety organization.STORY HIGHLIGHTS
We accept "an increased risk," state head of motorcycle association says
"I would never ride without a helmet," another New York motorcyclist says
Motorcycle helmet use dropped from 67% in 2009 to 54% in 2010
5,290 motorcycle fatalities were reported in 2008

RELATED TOPICS
New York
Motorcycles
Harley-Davidson Inc.
(CNN) -- A bareheaded motorcyclist participating in a ride to protest mandatory helmet laws was killed when he was thrown over the handlebars in Onondaga, New York.

Philip A. Contos, 55, of Parish, New York, was on a ride organized by the Onondaga chapter of American Bikers Aimed Towards Education (ABATE), state police said Sunday.

Contos hit his brakes, began fishtailing and lost control of his 1983 Harley Davidson. He shot over the handlebars, hit his head on the pavement and was taken to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, New York, where he was pronounced dead.

State police say evidence at the scene plus information from the attending medical expert indicated Contos would have survived had he been wearing a helmet as required by state law.

[Earthmover]

The Dude wrote:

Earthmover wrote: Akubra mate! When we are just moving from under a shady tree to load the Quads up on the trailer we dont wear our helmets so lock me up. I've seen a 10yo farm boy driven a nice mack flat top semi from one block to another using harveys range Developmental road to do so and my 14yo girl has got more experience driving trucks and heavy machinery then most blokes dream about. I never wore a helmet when i was on the farm as a young lade, riding three up with shovels and hoes in hand going flat-out or towing a 1 ton dog trailer loaded with 2 full racks of plant seadlings (aprox30,000plant) ezy 2.5 ton gross behind a honda 500 not to metion smoking weed & drinking johnny by 9 o'clock how manny blokes on here still do the last 2 things when they go riding with mates ha be honest ??? so to the point helmet on farms? still no sorry! helmet when i'm tearing up a track absolutely definitely. Seem like to me the only pepole willing to comment are those that agree. what's the opinions of the ones that disagree? or maybe i shoud ask what do you blokes do to the ones that disagree? Cool story, Bro.. "what do you blokes do to the ones that disagree?" We laugh at you and tell you "told you so" when you finally do fall off.

check it!

http://www.ozatv.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=76751#76751
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[Dino]

gazman wrote:

Bareheaded motorcyclist dies in helmet protestBy Nina Raja, CNN July 5, 2011 -- Updated 0220 GMT (1020 HKT) Motorcycle helmet use dropped from 67% in 2009 to 54% in 2010, according to a national highway safety organization.STORY HIGHLIGHTS We accept "an increased risk," state head of motorcycle association says "I would never ride without a helmet," another New York motorcyclist says Motorcycle helmet use dropped from 67% in 2009 to 54% in 2010 5,290 motorcycle fatalities were reported in 2008 RELATED TOPICS New York Motorcycles Harley-Davidson Inc. (CNN) -- A bareheaded motorcyclist participating in a ride to protest mandatory helmet laws was killed when he was thrown over the handlebars in Onondaga, New York. Philip A. Contos, 55, of Parish, New York, was on a ride organized by the Onondaga chapter of American Bikers Aimed Towards Education (ABATE), state police said Sunday. Contos hit his brakes, began fishtailing and lost control of his 1983 Harley Davidson. He shot over the handlebars, hit his head on the pavement and was taken to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, New York, where he was pronounced dead. State police say evidence at the scene plus information from the attending medical expert indicated Contos would have survived had he been wearing a helmet as required by state law.

Yes, but the sheeples are as easily led by headlines as image...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOvT72Y277s&feature=related
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