GPS tracking company, Austracker, has launched a quad bike Rollover Rescue Tracker, an automated alert based system to cut the time taken to rescue farmers if their quad bike rolls.
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With 22 quad bike fatalities last year, there is an increased focus on the dangers of the highly favoured farm machines with both the Victorian and NSW governments offering rebates on fitting crush protection devices (CPDs).
Austracker general manager, Richard Mason, says farmers should make use of the rebates and think of the Rollover Rescue Tracker as an addition to their overall safety plan.
“Wherever possible we want to prevent accidents from happening,” he said.
“But unfortunately accidents can and do still happen, even to the best of riders.
“The roll-bars are essential, but as an added layer of safety, the Rollover Rescue Tracker means that even if an accident happens, a rescue team can get to riders faster.”
The tracker automatically sends a text or email alert with location coordinates to the rider’s chosen network of family, friends or neighbours once the bike tilts more than 45 degree.
By clicking the coordinates the exact location will show on a map and a siren also sounds to help rescuers find the rider in difficult conditions.
If the rider doesn’t need assistance they can press a button on the bike to let the network know they are okay.
“Some of these farmers are working in remote or solitary conditions,” Mr Mason said.
“If there is an accident it can be hours before family and friends even realise something is wrong.
“As paramedics say, the golden hour, that first hour after an accident, can mean the difference between life and death.”
