South Australians are being urged to take extra care when using all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), including quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles, following a record number of deaths in the past year.
In 2024, five people tragically lost their lives in ATV-related accidents; the first fatalities in the state since 2021. Just weeks into 2025, another accident occurred on January 14th, when a side-by-side vehicle rolled on a farm property in Tungkillo (Mid Murray), killing the driver. The person’s death brings the total number of ATV fatalities in South Australia to 11 since 2011.
The first half of 2024 saw three men killed in separate quad bike accidents, all on private properties in the Adelaide Hills, Whites Flat, and Port Broughton. In September, a man died in a collision between two SSVs on a property in the South East, and a fourth fatality occurred in late October when a Riverland farmer was killed after his quad bike rolled on top of him.
SafeWork SA has issued a strong safety warning to ATV users, advising against tampering with or disabling safety features, such as seatbelts and speed limiters. These features are designed to help reduce the risk of serious injury or death, but reports have surfaced of some SSV operators bypassing safety controls, like clipping the seatbelt behind them. Speed is often a key factor in these accidents, particularly when driving on uneven terrain.
SafeWork SA stresses that following the manufacturer’s safety instructions, including wearing seatbelts while operating these vehicles, can help prevent deaths and serious injuries.
“In addition to reading the safety instructions, I urge users to visit the SafeWork SA website where we have comprehensive information about quad bike safety,” SafeWork SA Executive Director Glenn Farrell said.
Nationally, 212 people have died in quad bike incidents since 2011, with 19 fatalities reported in 2024 alone. Quad bikes and SSVs are among the leading causes of death on Australian farming properties. Nearly half of all quad bike fatalities are caused by rollovers. Even at low speeds, a quad bike can flip over, trapping or crushing the rider under the weight of the vehicle, which can weigh up to 400kg.
As fatalities continue to rise, experts are calling for greater awareness and stricter safety measures to protect those using these vehicles on farms and rural properties.
For more safety information, visit SafeWork SA’s website.
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