KEEP QUAD BIKES OFF THE ROADS

Abu Dhabi Police issue warning after 19 deaths last year in 174 accidents

ABU DHABI // Nineteen quad bike deaths in the capital have prompted more police warnings about the road safety risks posed by off-road machines.

“Quad bikes are powerful machines and are typically used off-road,” said Simon Labbett, project director at Sheida, an Omani road safety body.

“As a consequence of their power and off- road use, they are prone to turning over and falling on the rider.”

In the capital last year 19 people died in a total of 174 quad bike and three-wheeler bike accidents and 155 were injured.

Of those incidents, 101 were caused by collisions, 56 resulted from mechanical failure, and 16 riders were run over by other vehicles, figures from the traffic department at the Ministry of Interior showed.

The ministry warned bikers against overtaking vehicles and driving recklessly on residential streets or on main roads.

Any biker not wearing a helmet risks a Dh200 fine and four black points on their licence.

Police said fines were issued to 106 quad bikers last year for breaching that rule.

Nationwide statistics on quad bike accidents were not readily available.

Police said anyone found driving a quad bike dangerously or on the road would be prosecuted, and their vehicle confiscated. However, they are a common sight on the roads in some areas – and even desert driving is not without risks.

Last October, a man was injured when his quad bike was involved in a crash with a vehicle in Dubai’s Al Aweir area.

Brig Saif Al Mazrouei, director of the Department of Traffic in Dubai, had said most of the accidents involving quad bikes caused fatalities.

“It is very unfortunate, because most of the time the victims of such accidents are young men aged between 16 and 25,” he said at the time.

Dubai is the only emirate with an age restriction – drivers under 16 cannot use the larger or faster models. Federally, the only other rules govern where the bikes can be used – fines are handed out to drivers on main roads and in industrial areas. Under Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority rules, quad bikes may not be used on asphalt roads. Those who wish to open a business renting quad bikes must make sure no bike is driven or rented until it has been registered, or licensed by RTA.

The UAE has made every effort to reinforce the safe use of quad bikes through awareness campaigns.

In 2010, the Ministry of Interior said it would form a committee to discuss laws governing quad bikes, including setting a minimum age of 17 and special testing and licensing. Abu Dhabi Police were not available for comment on age restrictions, registration and licensing of quad bikes.

A staff member at Al Badayeh Eyes Tourism in Abu Dhabi said children aged 9 and above could rent bikes, starting with an engine capacity of 90cc. They also have bikes with 220cc and 250cc engines for older children, but did not specify the age range. The quad bikes need not be registered, the staff said.

In Sharjah, police said quad bikes were banned from the emirate’s roads unless they were registered and users had a motorcycle licence.

Driving on the sand is not illegal and people can use them without registering them, according to Lt Saoud Al Shiba of Sharjah Police.

While the rules may be lax at some desert safari and quad rental companies, it appears that in many cases there was a lack of parental supervision involved in accidents.

This month, Brig Ghaith Al Zaabi, director general of traffic at the Ministry of Interior, urged parents not to buy quadand three- wheeler bikes for their children unless they had a valid driver’s licence.

Parents who buy these fourwheel machines for their children will be legally accountable should an accident occur, he said.

Mr Labbett agreed with the officer. “Do not let the child out on his or her own unsupervised,” he said. “Parents have a responsibility for their children and their safety.”

If a parent were to give a quad bike to a child, protective equipment and clothing should be provided, along with professional training for its use, he said.