Fianna Fáil has proposed new safety legislation after the recent death of a farmer in a quad accident.
"The All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Bill 2018 makes it mandatory for quad bikes to have anti-roll bars and will make protective headgear compulsory for anyone driving them," said Fianna Fáil deputy leader Dara Calleary after introducing the bill in the Dáil this Wednesday.
The proposed legislation updates existing workplace health and safety legislation with an obligation to ensure "adequate protective head gear is used in the use of all terrain vehicles in the workplace" and gives the Road Safety Authority powers to "review the mandatory implementation of anti-roll bars on all terrain vehicles operating in the state".
Deputy Calleary said the bill was inspired by the recommendations of the coroner who conducted the inquest of a farmer killed after being crushed under his quad overturned in his constituency last year. The Fianna Fáil TD had signalled his intention to introduce the bill at the time of the inquest in February.
"Fifteen per cent of all farm machinery deaths between 2007 and 2016 were due to quad accidents," he said.
The proposed legislation must now secure cross-party support to be passed.
