Quad safety promoted as part of the product

Thankfully, those trikes were only sold for a short time, due to well-founded safety concerns.

Despite their popularity and usefulness, quads have developed something of an unfortunate reputation on the safety front, being involved in many on-farm fatalities.

Most fatalities involving quads are because of head injuries or chest injuries caused by crushing during an accident. Head protection is vital, but avoiding circumstances that result in an accident in the first place can also be a lifesaver. It is worth noting that utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) are not immune to head injuries, as head clashes, between passenger and driver or with the safety belt mount, can also happen on rough terrain or rollovers.

To their credit, manufacturers and distributors in the UK are aware of this, so are doing what they can to reduce the risk to operators, focusing on the fact that the key to safety lies in proper training. They are keen to get all customers and present owners up-to-date on their correct operation of their vehicles.

EASI, the European All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute, is a not-forprofit organisation in the UK, sponsored jointly by CanAm, CFMOTO, Honda, Kawasaki, Kymco, Polaris, Suzuki and Yamaha to deliver a programme of specialist ATV & side-by-side operator training courses, designed to improve operator skills, safety levels and awareness of the vehicle’s capabilities. Buyers who purchase new or used ATVs & sideby- sides from one of these manufacturers via an authorised UK dealer are eligible for free or highly subsidised EASI Operator training course, subject to qualifying terms, conditions and availability.

A typical programme lasts for around four and a half hours and addresses points such as protective clothing and equipment and preride inspections of ATVs. Further, it includes controls, starting the engine, starting out, shifting gears, braking and turning. Addressing riding strategies and risk awareness, as proficiency increases, the training looks at quicker turns, quick stops and swerves, stopping quickly in a turn, riding over obstacles, U-turns and traversing or climbing or descending hillsides.

required to have a licence to drive a vehicle on public roads, surely it’s about time that compulsory basic training should be a pre-requisite for operating ATVs or side-by-sides, because as an industry we must be proactive in reducing the ongoing toll on rural families.