Summary of quad bike fatalities (2011–2018)
- More than one third (39%) of quad bike fatalities occurred on terrain where an incline was noted by investigators (49 out of 126 fatalities)
- Over half (55%) of quad bike fatalities occurred on uneven ground
- Over half (60%) of quad bike fatalities involved rollovers (76), with 50 non-rollovers (collision/thrown from the quad/other)
- A potential weight imbalance (e.g. through carrying spray tanks, cargo, passengers, towing heavy trailers) was noted for over one third (36%) of quad bike fatalities
- In 10% (13) of quad bike fatalities the rider was wearing a helmet, 58% (73) were not wearing a helmet and in 32% of fatalities it was unknown if a helmet had been worn or not
- 49% (62) of the quad bike fatalities occurred while the deceased was riding while not working, 49% (62) occurred when deceased was working
- Over three-quarters 84% (106) of the quad bike fatalities were males. Of the 20 females who have died, over half (55%) rode an imbalanced quad bike
- Children under the age of 16 were involved in 10% (12) of the fatal incidents
- None of the 126 fatalities mentioned any form of rollover protection on the vehicle
Note: Information compiled by Safe Work Australia.
Analysis includes all known quad bike fatalities where the date of death occurred between 2011 and 2018.
2019 quad bike fatalities
Age |
Sex |
State |
Type of incident |
Activity |
Helmet worn1 |
Terrain |
Reported ground surface1 |
Possible weight imbalance2 |
---|
35 |
Male |
TAS |
Rollover |
Non-working |
Yes |
Incline |
Dirt |
passenger(s) on vehicle |
2018 quad bike fatalities
Age |
Sex |
State |
Type of incident |
Activity |
Helmet worn1 |
Terrain |
Reported ground surface1 |
Possible weight imbalance2 |
---|
17 |
Male |
WA |
Rollover |
Working |
- |
- |
Dirt |
- |
20 |
Male |
QLD |
Rollover |
Working |
- |
- |
Road |
- |
31 |
Female |
NSW |
Rollover |
Non-working |
- |
Incline |
Dirt |
passenger on vehicle |
31 |
Male |
QLD |
Rollover after collision |
Non-working |
- |
Highway |
- |
- |
31 |
Male |
QLD |
Flipped and rolled |
Working |
no |
Incline |
Dirt |
- |
35 |
Male |
QLD |
Accident |
Working |
- |
- |
Dirt |
- |
44 |
Male |
NSW |
Rollover |
Non-working |
- |
- |
- |
- |
50 |
Male |
QLD |
Collision with parked trailer |
Working |
- |
- |
Dirt |
- |
69 |
Make |
NT |
Rollover |
Non-working |
- |
Highway |
- |
- |
82 |
Male |
VIC |
Accident |
Non-working |
- |
Incline |
Dirt |
- |
2017 quad bike fatalities
Age |
Sex |
State |
Type of incident |
Activity |
Helmet worn1 |
Terrain |
Reported ground surface1 |
Possible weight imbalance2 |
---|
6 |
Female |
NSW |
Collision |
Non-working |
- |
- |
Dird road |
Passenger(s) on vehicle |
7 |
Male |
NSW |
Rollover |
Non-working |
Yes |
- |
- |
- |
8 |
Male |
NSW |
Rollover |
Non-working |
- |
- |
- |
- |
37 |
Male |
SA |
Rollover |
Working |
- |
- |
- |
- |
38 |
Male |
Vic |
Rollover |
Working |
- |
Incline |
- |
Trailer attached to vehicle |
41 |
Male |
QLD |
Collision |
Non-working |
No |
incline |
Dirt track |
- |
60 |
Male |
NSW |
Rollover |
Working |
- |
- |
Gravel/rocky |
- |
60 |
Male |
NSW |
- |
Working |
- |
- |
- |
- |
66 |
Male |
QLD |
- |
Working |
- |
- |
- |
- |
69 |
Male |
Vic |
Rollover |
Working |
- |
- |
Dirt gravel |
- |
74 |
Male |
NSW |
Rollover |
Non-working |
- |
Incline |
- |
- |
2016 quad bike fatalities
Age |
Sex |
State |
Type of incident |
Activity |
Helmet worn1 |
Terrain |
Reported ground surface1 |
Possible weight imbalance2 |
---|
16 |
Male |
VIC |
Collision |
Non-working |
No |
- |
Gravel |
Passenger(s) on vehicle |
18 |
Male |
QLD |
Rollover |
Non-working |
No |
- |
Ditch |
- |
53 |
Male |
NSW |
Rollover |
Non-working |
- |
- |
Dirt road |
- |
53 |
Female |
QLD |
Rollover |
Working |
- |
Incline |
Soft dirt |
Container attached to vehicle |
53 |
Male |
VIC |
Collision |
Non-working |
No |
- |
Dirt track |
- |
54 |
Male |
NSW |
Rollover |
Working |
- |
- |
- |
- |
62 |
Male |
QLD |
Rollover |
Non-working |
No |
Incline |
- |
- |
65 |
Male |
QLD |
Rollover |
Working |
No |
Incline |
- |
- |
69 |
Male |
VIC |
Rollover |
Working |
- |
Incline |
Rocky/Muddy |
- |
88 |
Male |
QLD |
Rollover |
Non-working |
No |
Incline |
- |
Container attached to vehicle |
2015 quad bike fatalities
Age |
Sex |
State |
Type of incident |
Activity |
Helmet worn1 |
Terrain |
Reported ground surface1 |
Possible weight imbalance2 |
---|
6 |
Male |
WA |
Rollover |
Non-working |
Yes |
- |
Sand |
Child on adult vehicle |
7 |
Male |
NSW |
Rollover |
Non-working |
No |
- |
Uneven surface |
Child on adult vehicle |
15 |
Male |
NSW |
Rollover |
Non-working |
No |
Incline |
Gravel/rocky |
- |
21 |
Male |
TAS |
Rollover |
Non-working |
No |
- |
Road |
- |
29 |
Male |
TAS |
Rollover |
Non-working |
No |
- |
Road |
- |
33 |
Male |
WA |
Collision |
Non-working |
Yes |
- |
Dirt track |
- |
49 |
Male |
VIC |
Collision |
Non-working |
No |
- |
Sand |
- |
49 |
Male |
WA |
Other |
Working |
No |
- |
Mud |
- |
51 |
Male |
NSW |
Collision |
Working |
- |
- |
Ditch |
- |
53 |
Female |
NT |
Rollover |
Non-working |
No |
- |
Road |
Vehicle being towed |
57 |
Male |
QLD |
Collision |
Working |
- |
Incline |
- |
- |
59 |
Male |
QLD |
Collision |
Working |
No |
- |
Ditch |
- |
67 |
Male |
VIC |
Rollover |
Working |
No |
Incline |
- |
Container attached to vehicle |
67 |
Male |
WA |
Collision |
Working |
No |
- |
Uneven surface |
Container attached to vehicle |
68 |
Male |
VIC |
Rollover |
Working |
- |
Incline |
Grass |
Container attached to vehicle |
69 |
Male |
NSW |
Rollover |
Non-working |
- |
- |
Road |
- |
75 |
Male |
TAS |
Rollover |
Non-working |
No |
Incline |
Gravel/rocky |
- |
75 |
Male |
VIC |
Collision |
Working |
- |
- |
- |
- |
78 |
Male |
QLD |
Rollover |
Working |
No |
Incline |
- |
Container attached to vehicle |
81 |
Male |
VIC |
Collision |
Working |
No |
Incline |
Grass |
Rode side saddle |
85 |
Male |
VIC |
Collision |
Working |
- |
- |
Mud |
- |
2014 quad bike fatalities
Age |
Sex |
State |
Type of incident |
Activity |
Helmet worn1 |
Terrain |
Reported ground surface1 |
Possible weight imbalance2 |
---|
9 |
Male |
QLD |
Rollover |
Non-working (bystander) |
Yes |
Incline |
Dirt/uneven surface |
Passenger(s) on vehicle |
12 |
Male |
QLD |
Rollover |
Non-working |
Yes |
Incline |
Dirt road |
Child on adult vehicle |
12 |
Male |
VIC |
Rollover |
Working |
No |
- |
- |
Container attached to vehicle |
23 |
Male |
NSW |
Collision |
Non-working |
No |
Incline |
Dirt track |
- |
25 |
Male |
NSW |
Collision |
- |
- |
- |
Gravel road |
- |
26 |
Male |
QLD |
Rollover |
Working |
No |
- |
Dirt track |
- |
27 |
Male |
VIC |
Collision |
Working |
- |
- |
Road |
- |
40 |
Male |
QLD |
Rollover |
Non-working |
No |
Incline |
Dirt/uneven surface |
Passenger(s) on vehicle |
49 |
Male |
NSW |
Rollover |
Working |
No |
- |
Grass |
- |
53 |
Male |
QLD |
Rollover |
Non-working |
No |
- |
Uneven surface |
- |
54 |
Male |
VIC |
Rollover |
Non-working |
- |
- |
- |
- |
59 |
Female |
VIC |
Rollover |
Working |
- |
Incline |
Dirt |
- |
64 |
Female |
TAS |
Collision |
Working |
No |
- |
Road |
Trailer attached to vehicle |
67 |
Male |
NSW |
Other |
Working |
No |
- |
- |
- |
69 |
Male |
NSW |
Rollover |
Non-working |
No |
- |
Hit object |
- |
2013 quad bike fatalities
Age |
Sex |
State |
Type of incident |
Activity |
Helmet worn1 |
Terrain |
Reported ground surface1 |
Possible weight imbalance2 |
---|
5 |
Male |
NSW |
Rollover |
Working (bystander) |
No |
Incline |
Ditch |
Passenger(s) on vehicle |
11 |
Female |
QLD |
Rollover |
Non-working |
No |
Incline |
Dirt track |
Child on adult vehicle |
21 |
Female |
QLD |
Collision |
Working |
No |
- |
Hit object |
- |
21 |
Male |
QLD |
Other |
Non-working |
No |
- |
Ditch |
Container attached to vehicle |
23 |
Male |
TAS |
Other |
Non-working |
No |
Incline |
Hit object |
Passenger(s) on vehicle |
25 |
Male |
NSW |
Collision |
Non-working |
- |
- |
- |
Passenger(s) on vehicle |
26 |
Male |
QLD |
Collision |
Non-working |
No |
- |
Hit fence |
- |
27 |
Male |
NSW |
Rollover |
Working |
No |
- |
Uneven surface |
- |
28 |
Female |
QLD |
Other |
Non-working |
No |
- |
Dirt track |
- |
35 |
Male |
QLD |
Collision |
Non-working |
- |
- |
Road |
- |
35 |
Female |
QLD |
- |
Non-working |
- |
- |
- |
- |
38 |
Male |
VIC |
Other |
Non-working |
No |
- |
Road |
- |
43 |
Male |
QLD |
Collision |
Working |
Yes |
- |
Dirt track |
- |
45 |
Male |
NSW |
Rollover |
Working |
No |
Incline |
- |
Object mounted on vehicle |
53 |
Male |
QLD |
Rollover |
Working |
No |
- |
Hit object |
- |
59 |
Male |
WA |
Rollover |
Non-working |
- |
- |
Dirt track |
- |
60 |
Female |
WA |
Rollover |
Working |
No |
Incline |
Dirt |
- |
60 |
Male |
NSW |
Rollover |
Working |
No |
Incline |
- |
- |
66 |
Male |
VIC |
Rollover |
Working |
No |
- |
Dirt track |
- |
70 |
Male |
QLD |
Other |
Working |
No |
- |
- |
- |
86 |
Male |
QLD |
Rollover |
Working |
No |
- |
Dirt |
- |
2012 quad bike fatalities
Age |
Sex |
State |
Type of incident |
Activity |
Helmet worn1 |
Terrain |
Reported ground surface1 |
Possible weight imbalance2 |
---|
4 |
Female |
QLD |
Rollover |
Non-working |
No |
- |
Grass |
Passenger(s) on vehicle/Child on adult vehicle |
7 |
Female |
SA |
Other |
Non-working |
No |
Incline |
Sand |
Passenger(s) on vehicle |
11 |
Male |
QLD |
Rollover |
Non-working |
Yes |
- |
Gravel/rocky |
Child on adult vehicle |
13 |
Female |
NSW |
Rollover |
Non-working |
No |
Incline |
Gravel/rocky |
Passenger(s) on vehicle |
18 |
Female |
QLD |
Collision |
Non-working |
Yes |
- |
Sand |
- |
18 |
Female |
WA |
Collision |
Non-working |
No |
Incline |
Sand |
Passenger(s) on vehicle |
19 |
Male |
QLD |
Collision |
Non-working |
Yes |
Incline |
Gravel/rocky |
- |
42 |
Female |
QLD |
Rollover |
Working |
No |
Incline |
- |
- |
47 |
Male |
TAS |
Rollover |
Non-working |
Yes |
Incline |
Dirt track |
Passenger(s) on vehicle |
51 |
Male |
QLD |
Collision |
Working |
No |
- |
Gravel |
- |
54 |
Male |
NSW |
Other |
Working |
- |
Incline |
- |
- |
56 |
Male |
WA |
Rollover |
Non-working |
No |
- |
Gravel/rocky |
- |
58 |
Male |
VIC |
Rollover |
Non-working |
No |
- |
Gravel/rocky |
Trailer attached to vehicle |
63 |
Female |
TAS |
Collision |
Working |
No |
Incline |
Gravel |
- |
67 |
Male |
VIC |
Rollover |
Working |
- |
Incline |
- |
Container attached to vehicle |
73 |
Male |
VIC |
Collision |
Non-working |
No |
- |
- |
- |
76 |
Male |
QLD |
Collision |
Non-working |
- |
- |
Grass |
- |
78 |
Male |
NSW |
Rollover |
Working |
No |
Incline |
Gravel/rocky |
- |
2011 quad bike fatalities
Age |
Sex |
State |
Type of incident |
Activity |
Helmet worn1 |
Terrain |
Reported ground surface1 |
Possible weight imbalance2 |
---|
4 |
Male |
QLD |
Rollover |
Non-working |
Yes |
- |
- |
Quad recommended for ages 10+ |
11 |
Male |
VIC |
Rollover |
Non-working |
Yes |
- |
- |
Child on adult vehicle |
11 |
Male |
VIC |
Rollover |
Working |
No |
- |
Dirt track |
Child on adult vehicle |
22 |
Male |
VIC |
Collision |
Non-working |
No |
Incline |
Sand |
Adult on mini quad bike |
34 |
Female |
NSW |
Rollover |
Working |
No |
Incline |
Uneven surface |
Container attached to vehicle |
39 |
Male |
VIC |
Collision |
Non-working |
Yes |
- |
Gravel road |
- |
42 |
Male |
ACT |
Collision |
Non-working |
No |
- |
Dirt road |
Passenger(s) on vehicle |
55 |
Male |
VIC |
Rollover |
Working |
No |
Incline |
Uneven surface |
Container attached to vehicle |
57 |
Male |
NSW |
Rollover |
Working |
- |
Incline |
Gravel/rocky |
- |
57 |
Female |
TAS |
Rollover |
Working |
- |
- |
Ditch |
- |
62 |
Male |
QLD |
Collision |
Working |
- |
Dirt |
- |
- |
65 |
Male |
NSW |
Other |
Working |
No |
Incline |
Gravel/rocky |
- |
66 |
Male |
NSW |
Rollover |
Non-working |
No |
Incline |
Gravel/rocky |
- |
67 |
Male |
NT |
Collision |
Working |
No |
- |
Ditch |
- |
68 |
Male |
NSW |
Rollover |
Non-working |
- |
Incline |
- |
Container attached to vehicle |
70 |
Male |
TAS |
Collision |
Non-working |
No |
Incline |
Dirt track |
Passenger(s) on vehicle |
78 |
Male |
SA |
Other |
Working |
- |
Incline |
Gravel/rocky |
Passenger(s) on vehicle |
79 |
Male |
NSW |
Rollover |
Working |
- |
Incline |
- |
Container attached to vehicle |
84 |
Male |
SA |
Rollover |
Non-working |
- |
Incline |
- |
- |
94 |
Male |
VIC |
Rollover |
Working |
No |
- |
Ditch |
- |
1 Helmet and ground surface information is based on information provided police and or coroners reports.
2 Safe Work Australia has designated a potential weight imbalance when the following factors are mentioned in coroners and police reports: more than one rider on bike, towing trailer, supplementary weight on bike (e.g. drums containing liquid chemicals). This is Safe Work Australia’s judgment only and does not necessarily represent any verdict handed down by a coroner.
3 Case status as listed on the National Coronial Information System as at 7 June 2013. Closed cases will not be updated.
Summary of quad bike fatalities (2001–2010)
- Almost one-third (29%) of quad bike fatalities occurred on terrain where an incline was noted by investigators (36 out of 125 fatalities)
- Almost half (44%) of quad bike fatalities occurred on uneven ground
- Just under half (47%) of quad bike fatalities involved a primary rollover (59), with 63 non-rollovers (collisions/thrown from quad) and three cases undefined)
- A potential weight imbalance (e.g. through carrying spray tanks, cargo, passengers, towing heavy trailers,) was noted for one-third (44) of the quad bike fatalities
- In 15% (19) of quad bike fatalities the rider was wearing a helmet, 46% were not wearing a helmet and in 39% of fatalities it was unknown if a helmet had been worn or not
- 50% of the quad bike fatalities occurred while the deceased was riding Non-workingly, 46% occurred while the deceased was working and the remainder were undefined
- A total of 82% (102) of the quad bike fatalities were males. Of the 23 females who have died, 8 were passengers on the quad bike
- Children under the age of 16 were involved in 19% (24) of the fatal incidents
- None of the 125 fatalities mentioned any form of rollover protection on the vehicle
Note: Information provided by the Australian Centre for Agricultural Health & Safety.
Analysis includes all known Quad bike fatalities where the date of death occurred between 2001 and 2010. Only 12 of the 125 cases remain open and more data may be forthcoming on those cases.