The states peak farming body is reminding farmers about the importance of wearing a seatbelt when using side-by-side vehicles (SSVs) on farms.
NSW Farmers Association says the “seatbelt save lives” safety message about wearing seatbelts in cars applies to SSVs, with seven people dying in in SSV related incidents in NSW since 2017.
“Like when driving a car, it is simply not worth the risk to not wear a seatbelt,” said NSW Farmers President James Jackson.
“SSVs are becoming a more common piece of farm equipment, partly due to their safety advantages. That’s why the NSW Government offers a rebate of up $2,000 to eligible farmers for the purchase of an SSV as part of the Quad Bike Safety Improvement Program.”
“Side-by-side vehicle do come fitted with seat belts, so there is no reason not to click and clack before driving one.”
The NSW Minister for Better Regulation, Kevin Anderson, said farmers in NSW have spent $38 million to improve quad bike safety since 2016, which has resulted in $3millon in rebates since the program began.
The NSW Government offers a safety rebate of up $2,000 to eligible farmers to help improve quad bike safety on-farm, including, $600 for the purchase of an operator protective device, $90 for the purchase of a compliant helmet and $500 for the purchase of one drone.
The Quad Bike Safety Rebate program is due to end in June 2021.
“Given the success of the rebate program and it being a cost effective intervention measure to improve safety on farms, NSW Farmers is calling for the safety rebate to be extended to December 2022,” Mr Jackson said.
