Quad Bikes

In reply to Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (16 May 2018).

The Hon. S.K. KNOLL (Schubert—Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government, Minister for Planning): I have been advised of the following:

1. According to Safe Work Australia statistics, since 2011 South Australia has recorded four fatalities on quad bikes. Two of these occurred while the devices were being used for recreational purposes and two during work. It is not known whether these accidents occurred on roads or on private land.

In South Australia road access for quad bikes is granted under very limited circumstances to primary producers for agricultural purposes and to government departments and authorities for duties directly associated with the department or authority's function. Permission to access the road network for these purposes is under a Gazette Notice issued under section 163AA of the Road Traffic Act 1961. Quad bikes registered under this Gazette Notice operate under restricted conditions, including speed restrictions. The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) is currently reviewing this notice to ensure that the conditions continue to adequately address safety risks.

In relation to age restrictions, as the operation of a motor vehicle on roads or road related areas requires the driver to be the holder of a driver's licence, the Motor Vehicles Act 1959 prescribes that the driver must be at least 17 years of age.

2. In reviewing the Gazette Notice that sets out the conditions for quad bikes to access the road network, DPTI is reviewing whether wearing a helmet should be a condition of quad bikes accessing the road network.