Second phase of quad bike safety campaign launched in Atherton

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace today visited the home of quad bike crash survivor Domenic Cocco to launch the second phase of the Queensland Government’s Ride ready safety campaign.

Minister Grace said independent market research showed safety messages were getting through, but plenty of work still needed to be done.

“Research into the effectiveness of the first phase of the Ride ready advertising is extremely promising,” Ms Grace said. 

“There was a heartening improvement in people who believe helmets are a must when riding a quad bike.

“More people now recognise doubling is dangerous and believe that formal quad bike training is valuable and will reduce injuries.”

Ms Grace said the research also indicated regular riders may be gradually changing their behaviours when it comes to quad bike safety.

“The results again were encouraging in regards to people who are prepared to always wear a helmet, never over-load a quad, and never allow kids to ride adult bikes,” she said.

Ride ready is part of the Palaszczuk Government’s Statewide Quad Bike Safety campaign, which aims to increase public awareness about quad bike safety while cutting injuries and deaths associated with the vehicles.

Part of the Ride ready campaign is a case study film, Too Fast Too Soon – Domenic’s Story, which tells the horrific story the Cocco family have lived through.

Since its release, almost 300,000 people have watched the film and the two ads which run in conjunction with it.

“The second phase of our advertising campaign kicks off in a week, just ahead of the September school holidays,” Ms Grace said.

“Domenic was just seven when he jumped on to a friend’s quad. With no previous experience, Dom slammed into a power pole and was catapulted onto the road.

“Unfortunately, he wasn’t wearing a helmet and suffered near fatal injuries.”

Since then, Domenic’s made a full recovery. Others are not so lucky. 

“Over the last 15 years, more than 70 people have been killed using quad bikes in Queensland,” Ms Grace said.

“And every year, there are around 300 quad bike related hospitalisations, 600 emergency department presentations and more than 200 ambulance attendances.

“It saddens me to admit these are amongst the highest figures in Australia.

“No matter how the quad’s being used, we must respect just how dangerous these vehicles can be.”

The Ride ready campaign urges riders to always wear helmets and encourages parents to keep their kids off adult sized bikes.

It is supported by resources and an online challenge to test all quad bike riders at www.qld.gov.au/rideready.

Media Contact: Martin Philip 0427 919 548