Safety ratings for ATVs and side-by-side vehicles need to be accurate and reflect the real world, says the FCAI.
A star rating system that’s being proposed by the University of NSW’s traffic and road safety team doesn’t gel with real world data, said the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries in a statement.
This means consumers can’t be accurately informed over different ATVs and SSVs’ relative safety benefits, it said.
FCAI’s statement said it was “disappointed” with the system as it would not compare one ATV to another.
Noting the integral role that ATVs play on farms, as well as being popular recreation machines, the FCAI did, however, lend support to safety practices and training developed by the industry.
“These vehicles are not toys, they need to be used appropriately,” said the organisation in a media statement.
“The known safety practices and training currently promoted by the industry and user groups has been developed over decades of use by the engineers, trainers and other safety experts who design, manufacture and use the vehicles.
“These practices and training have been proven to help keep ATV and SSV users safer when using their vehicles.”
FCAI expressed strong interest in developing an effective system, and advised that Australia follow international ANSI-SVIA and ROHVA standards until a relevant rating system was implemented.
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