Australia’s peak body for the automotive industry, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) and its members, comprising the leading ATV distributors, have again called for responsible use of ATVs in response to Safe Work Australia’s call for fitting of Crush Protection Devices (CPDs).
The ATV industry will continue to endorse safety interventions with known positive benefits.
The best way to make ATV use safer is to raise the awareness of riders that a combination of factors will improve the safe use of ATVs. All ATV users, including farmers must be trained, wear a helmet while operating the ATV, not carry more than the prescribed number of passengers, not allow children on adult size ATVs, use the appropriate vehicle for the task and not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs whilst operating the vehicle.
The ATV industry is continuing to raise awareness of these safety interventions at the point of sale with ATV buyers.
Research conducted by Dynamic Research Inc. (DRI), an internationally recognised firm specialising in applied research in the areas of vehicle dynamics and controls, simulator technology and accident investigation, confirmed that Rollover Protection Systems (ROPS) and Crush Protective Devices (CPDs) on ATVs can cause unacceptably high levels of harm in comparison to their benefits.
Tony Weber, FCAI Chief Executive, said “The DRI research is the best available research in the world. It is research using state-of-the-art technology and is based upon published research and relevant (sections) of international research standards, as expected of a quality report. It confirms that rollover devices, and in particular so-called ‘crush protection devices’, should not be fitted to ATVs.”
“The FCAI and its members are focused on improving safety. We focus our advice on quality research and if Safe Work Australia has access to quality research to the contrary please bring this to our attention immediately,” said Mr Weber.
The ATV industry urges all stakeholders and commentators to carefully review the findings of the DRI report which can be found at http://www.dri-atv-rops-research.com/ when reviewing the claims made by suppliers of CPDs, and by their supporters.
The ATV industry is currently actively involved in the University of New South Wales research investigating the crash worthiness of ATV’s and has offered the loan of a state of the art, motor-cycle specific, injury monitoring crash test dummy to assist the research group in ensuring that crashworthiness results are directly related to rider injury outcomes.
The FCAI is keen to see the UNSW undertake a robust research program so that the knowledge frontier can be moved forward in respect to ATV use.
“ATVs are not toys and should not be treated as such,” said Mr Weber. “Unfortunately, while the focus remains on rollover devices, real solutions will continue to be ignored. Attention should instead be maintained on responsible ATV use, wearing helmets and training.”
Ends
For further information contact:
Sheena Ireland, Communications Manager
P: 02 6229 8221
M: 0458 038 555
E: [email protected]