A more scientific approach is needed on ATV safety, and Victorian taxpayer money could be better spent on the strong promotion of known safety practices such as helmets and rider training says the Australia‰Ûªs peak industry body representing ATV manufacturers.
While the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has welcomed the NSW and Victorian governments‰Ûª interest in the ATV safety issue debate, it believes the Victorian rebate announced last week should be focussed on the known benefits of helmets and accredited rider training.
The Chief Executive of the FCAI, Tony Weber, said that while there‰Ûªs clearly a strong desire among the governments to be seen to do something to support ATV safety, a rebate scheme has been rushed in to subsidise a so-called safety device which is not supported by scientific evidence.
‰ÛÏWe believe the Victorian and NSW governments, in their rush to be seen to be doing something, are ignoring the best evidence available and using farmers to test an unproven and potentially dangerous product,‰Û
