Friday, March 29, 2024

Spotlight on accident-prone regions

Avatar photo
Some regions in New Zealand fare worse for farm vehicle accidents than others, says FMG. “FMG insures over 50% of rural New Zealand and so we’ve been able to learn a lot about where and what causes tractor, side-by-side and quad bike rollover accidents,” FMG manager for advice services Stephen Cantwell says.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

“Some regions are over-represented in the number of claims we see. By over-represented we mean that the percentage of claims coming in is higher than the percentage of farm vehicles insured, which tells us those regions are prone to having more accidents associated with quad bikes, side-by-sides and tractors.”

Quad bike and side-by-side claims are over-represented in the Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu-Whanganui, Otago and Canterbury regions.

In the South Island, tractors are over-represented in Canterbury, the West Coast and the top of South regions, as well as Otago and Southland.

“Interestingly in the Southland region, we see that tractors are highly over-represented for claims, which could be the result of hilly countryside,” he says.

In the North Island, tractor claims are over-represented in the Manawatu-Whanganui and Taranaki regions.

“As expected, we still receive claims from farm vehicle accidents from all regions, however, our insights are helpful to share with those regions where there seem to be more accidents than others. We really want to help rural NZ to keep safe,” he says.

Based on the information from the claims coming through, FMG has taken these insights and worked with industry experts to develop advice to keep you and your team safe on-farm.

“There is a lot we can do to improve our safety and reduce the risk of accidents,” he says.

How to avoid farm vehicle accidents:

• Focus on the ground ahead – many accidents involve multitasking.

• Keep it low or keep it slow when using a front-end loader on a tractor.

• Use the parking brake or handbrake – many accidents happen when riders jump off the vehicle to open a gate

• Watch your speed

• Understand how different farm vehicles handle, and what they can handle

• Avoid fatigue – stay well hydrated, eat well and take breaks.

More advice is available at www.fmg.co.nz/advice

 

Over the past 3 years FMG has paid out:

$9.1 million for quad bike claims

$4m for side-by-sides

$37.6m for tractor claims

Of that, accident claims are the highest claiming area.

$5.5 million for quad bike accident claims

$2.5m for side by side accident claims

$17.5m for tractor accident claims.

Total
0
Shares
People are also reading