The Hamad Injury Prevention Programme (HIPP) of the Hamad Trauma Center has issued a series of recommendations that can improve safety for users of quad bikes or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) during the ongoing outdoor and camping season.
The HIPP team analysed data from 1,188 ATV-related trauma cases from the Qatar National Trauma Registry, Al Wakra Hospital and the HMC Ambulance Service. These victims were all injured at Sealine or Mesaieed area while using off-road vehicles from November to March during 2017 to 2018, 2018 to 2019 and 2019 to 2020.
“There is much to be learned from this collaborative effort that serves as the basis for our safety recommendations that every person in Qatar, who engages in activities using off-road vehicles, must know and implement to make their camping season safe and injury-free,” said Dr Rafael Consunji, director of the HIPP, which is the community outreach arm of the Hamad Trauma Center.
“Quad bikes are designed for one single operator, their weight and power must be managed by the driver. He/she must have enough strength, counterweight, training and experience to drive one safely. Some ATV rental outlets in Qatar do not rent out to children, younger than 18 years, this is the globally accepted safest and recommended practice. Families must see to it that young children do not drive or ride ATVs” he said.
Permanent paralysis or brain damage can happen at the moment of impact of an ATV crash.
Some of the tips to avoid the accidents are: Parents and ATV rental agencies should not allow young children to operate quad bikes. Almost one third of all victims were between the ages of 11 to15 years. Quad bikes are designed for responsible use by fully-trained and mature adults. For these reasons, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons does not recommend that children younger than 12 operate quad bikes and that those with more than 90cc in (engine) size should never be operated by persons under 16 years.
No passengers should be allowed on a quad bike, unless it is specially designed for passengers. About a quarter of all victims were injured as passengers. Quad bikes are designed for only one user, the driver or operator. To drive a quad bike safely, one must be able to adjust one’s position and shift weight in response to sudden changes in direction, speed and terrain. Riding with or as a passenger increases the chance that weight imbalance and instability will occur. These result in rollovers and crashes.
It is also advised to avoid peak periods of activity to reduce the risk of injury. Half of victims were injured on Fridays, between 2pm and 10pm. The congestion and density of different kinds of off-road vehicles added to the mix of experience levels and driving expertise makes this period the most-risky for all. It is best to go at a time when there are less enthusiasts using the course and to only use areas that are under the direct supervision of the responsible authorities.
Quad bikes should not be operated without protective gear such as a helmet. The majority of injuries affected body parts that can easily be protected by the proper PPE; the head, arms, legs, feet, eyes and face were most commonly affected. Helmets, gloves, ankle boots and protective eyewear are needed to protect the quad bike driver in the event of a crash. Long sleeved shirts and long pants are also recommended to protect the vulnerable knees and elbows from cuts and scratches
The most common injury mechanisms are collisions and rollovers. Collisions may be with fixed objects, with another quad bike or with other vehicles. Children are more likely to be injured in collisions or in lateral rollovers while adults were most commonly injured in backward rollovers, a common mechanism when ascending hills or dunes or doing ``wheelies'' or stunts.
Dr Rafael Consunji
