Child safety – kids under 16

For many, farm vehicles are an essential part of life on the land, however, they are not appropriate for all members of the family.

It's important to remember that farms are workplaces, not playgrounds. Farm vehicles are not toys.

Quad bikes and kids are a deadly mix

Since 2001, 52 children have lost their lives in quad bike incidents in Australia.

Many of these incidents happened at low speed and when the child was being carried as a passenger.

These deaths are preventable.

A label warning children under 16 should not use quad bikes
Keep kids safe: Children under 16 should be forbidden from riding an adult sized quad bike – including as a passenger.

Why quad bikes are dangerous for kids

Children under the age of 16 do not have the body size, weight, strength or skill required to safely operate an adult sized quad bike – or travel as a passenger.

Quad bike related deaths are caused by catastrophic crush related injuries from the quad bike landing on and fatally crushing the child in a roll over.

Other deaths are a result of collision or ejection – causing fatal brain, abdominal, spine or neck injuries.

Reports also reveal that on average, 80 children present to hospital each year from a quad bike incident.

Keep kids safe – quad bikes

SAY NO to children under 16 years old on adult sized quad bikes – including as a passenger.

 

Mark, a SafeWork inspector says from first-hand experience, children should not be riding on adult-sized quad bikes.

Susan, a paediatric surgeon, says combining kids and quad bikes is a 'deadly mix'.

Side-by-side vehicles (SSVs)

Since 2011, 18 children have lost their lives in SSV incidents in Australia.

These deaths are preventable.

Seat belts save lives

Children have been seriously injured and killed due to being poorly restrained or not wearing a seat belt in SSVs.

If a child (or any occupant) is not wearing a seat belt they will not be protected by the roll cage in a roll over incident.

Parents must also be aware that only a slight change in motion (such as slowing down or turning a corner) can cause an unrestrained child (or any occupant) to be thrown out of the moving vehicle, through the window screen or against the dashboard.

Children who are not tall enough to sit with their backs against the seat and have both feet flat on the floor are also at high risk of slipping out of the seat belt.

 

Keep kids safe – SSVs

SAY NO to children under 16 operating a SSV.

Keep kids safe by:

  • checking that children can ride safely as a passenger - many SSV manufacturers have specific passenger height and ability restrictions
  • following the recommendations in the owner’s manual
  • ensuring children wear a seat belt
  • ensuring children wear a helmet
  • keeping cab nets/doors closed when the SSV is in motion
  • never carrying young children in laps or in the rear cargo tray
  • never doubling up kids in the one seatbelt – one person per seat belt only.
 
A child wearing a helmet inside an SSV. An adult is assisting with their seatbelt.
Keep kids safe: children must be tall enough and wear both a helmet and seatbelt when travelling in SSVs.

Farm safety

It's vital to keep kids safe – whether they live on the property or are just visiting:

  • remove the keys from farm vehicles when not in use and store them in a safe place away from children
  • make a safe space (such as a fenced yard) for kids to play
  • supervise children at all times
  • consider putting in family rules to keep kids safe at home on the farm – and make sure they understand them.

More information

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