Motor insurance news
15/05/2008

Calls for new laws after woman's quad-bike fatality

A quad-bike crash that killed a 21-year-old woman has prompted calls for new laws, motor insurance and safety rules to prevent future fatal accidents and serious injuries.

In the tragic accident, the young person was on the back of the quad bike, also called an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), when the vehicle crashed and rolled. She had no woman motor insurance.

The driver is alleged to have sped off, leaving the woman alone having suffered severe head injuries. She died more than a week later in hospital.

The incident - which happened in the USA - has prompted the family to press for safety courses to improve quad-bike driving standards and for compulsory insurance to be introduced in their state.

The woman's father has started a website in memory of his daughter.

The family's lawyer highlighted how the death of their much-loved daughter would mean them missing and not experiencing so many of life's happier events that can be taken for granted such as marriage, graduation and children.

About 850 quad-bike connected fatalities happen each year in the US - nearly three a week.

US safety campaigners demanded drivers do five things, as well as supporting calls for man and woman motor insurance laws:

• Wear helmets
• Keep off normal roads
• Don't drive after taking drugs or drinking
• Never let under-16s use ATVs
• Don't carry passengers on quad-bikes designed for one person.