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The Moorabool News – 9 November, 2021 Page 15
Police on lookout for illegal mobility devices
Victoria Police have noticed an increase in e-scooter and e-skateboard injuries and have sent a reminder to the community; it is illegal to use them outside private land.
An ATV with a Lifeguard roll bar. Photo – www.tradefarmmachinery.com.au
New quad bike rules roll in
New safety standards for quad bikes are now in effect, aimed at lowering the high death toll. As of October 11, it is illegal to sell a new quad bike in Australia unless it has been fitted with an operator protection device (OPD). They also require warning stickers about the degree of slope at which they will overturn, with a penalty of up to $500,000 for selling a non-compliant quad bike. Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) President, Emma Germano, said quad bike rollovers are a leading cause of trauma and death on Victorian farms. “Since 2011 sadly 150 people have died from quad bike accidents nationally, 23 of those were children. Nearly two thirds of quad bike related deaths are caused by a rollover,
and three quarters of deaths occur on a farm,” she said. “Farmers need to install OPDs to safeguard themselves from death and serious injury, as well as litigation.” Quad bikes accidents are the leading cause of death and injury on Australian farms, and a record 20 people died on quad bikes in 2020. Rollovers cause 60 per cent of quad bike fatalities. Protection devices such as ATV Lifeguards and Quadbars help protect quad bike operators from the risk of serious injury or death from being crushed or pinned if their quad bike rolls over. For more information on the new safety standards, visit www.productsafety.gov.au and search ‘Quad bikes’.
E-scooters and e-skateboards are an electric-powered twowheeled personal mobility device. They usually have a battery either under the foot platform or within the head tube and a small electric motor that drives the rear wheel. What this means if these mobility devices can travel faster than 10 km/h and exceed 200 watts – which applies to the vast majority – they are illegal to ride on public roads, cycle lanes and footpaths. Acting Senior Sergeant Peter Christo said Victoria Police would be ramping up responses, and engage with government and councils, to keep young people safe. "The past 24 months have resulted in increased online purchases of e-scooters and other wheeled recreational devices," Mr Christo said. "The unintended consequence of e-scooter/skateboard prevalence is an increase in injuries as a result of reckless on-road/footpath use. With schools returning to class-based arrangements, we need to ensure community safety remains forefront of thinking."
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