ATV tragedy boosts awareness

Does it have to take a tragedy to get people thinking about farm safety?

ATVs, All Terrain Vehicles or four-wheel bikes are the most widely used motor vehicle on farms. There are an estimated 70,000 ATVs in use in New Zealand.

The bikes have proved a godsend in helping farmers getting around their farms.

But in the wrong hands, they are also killers. ACC receives about 50 claims per annum for ATV injuries to children under 16 years.

When four year old Molly Vanner died driving her dad’s ATV on the family farm in South Taranaki, the eyes of New Zealand turned on the plight of the family. It triggered public debate about the rights and wrongs of what farmers can or should do on their own land.

It’s difficult to regulate the farm environment. Farm safety courses provided by ACC with Federated Farmers and rural community organisations highlight the dangers and set out guidelines for best industry practice.

And some have taken the message on board. Molly’s dad Gavin admitted he broke his own rules when he let his daughter ride the 368kg ATV alone.

At the time however, many supporters from the rural sector said they were unaware of the issues of children driving ATVs or the injury or death statistics associated with them. They did not know there were guidelines for the use of ATVs or that Land Transport strongly recommends wearing a helmet when riding one.

ATVs look like fun machines and appear easy to ride and handle. But riding one requires the same (or greater) skill, judgement and experience as driving a car.

Riders need the strength and weight to keep the ATV stable on steep or rough ground, and to use their body weight to influence the stability of the machine.

Children lack the perception and coordination skills, the judgement and physical strength needed to actively ride ATVs safely or be a passenger on an adult-sized bike.

It is three years this month (March 2003) since the Agricultural Guideline – Safe Use of ATVs on New Zealand Farms was published. It was the result of a cooperative effort between government agencies and organisations representing the rural sector. It states categorically that children under 12 years of age should not be allowed to drive an ATV. It also sets out stringent restrictions and requirements to be met before a person between 12 and 15 years of age should be allowed to drive a farm ATV.

Three years is not long to get people to change their behaviour. The safety message needs constant reinforcement.

It’s tragic that it’s cases like little Molly Vanner’s death that may finally help to get the message across.