Safety reminder after teenager hurt in quad bike crash
Police have issued a safety reminder after a teenager was injured in an all-terrain vehicle crash on a beach.
The 16-year-old boy suffered head injuries when he rolled the ATV he was driving on Sunday afternoon at Beechford beach in northern Tasmania.
His 24-year-old passenger was treated at the scene by paramedics.
It comes after a 16-year-old boy was killed in a quad bike crash on a rural track in the state's northwest earlier this month.
His death was the ninth in an ATV crash nationwide this year.
Tasmania Police constable Braden Green said accidents involving the vehicle were "mostly avoidable".
"Police are requesting members of the public to operate them in a safe manner," he said in a statement.
There were 11 ATV deaths across Australia in both 2022 and 2021, after 23 in 2020.
National safety standards were introduced in 2021, including making it illegal for new quad bikes to be sold without a rollover protection device.
Safe Work Australia says ATVs are not suitable for every terrain, drivers should wear a helmet and children should not be allowed to ride adult bikes.
Police will be increasing patrols of beaches and reserved land in Tasmania to educate drivers and ensure compliance.
Const Green said beaches in Tasmania were regarded as reserved land and the use of vehicles and motorcycles was generally prohibited.
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails