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ABTA warning on quad bike rental

ABTA is warning holidaymakers of the risks of hiring quad bikes whilst on holiday this summer.

People are being urged to remember that while these vehicles may be fun to drive, they are also powerful pieces of machinery that can be extremely dangerous.

The association is aware that in Greece alone, there have been five incidents involving holidaymakers and quad bikes since June including, most recently, an 18-year old man who suffered a fractured skull and lost his sight in one eye in a quad bike accident.

Increasingly, holidaymakers are hiring quad bikes as a means to get around, often on main roads and in resorts, many without any training, road experience or proper protection. If they have an accident, injuries are often much more serious or life threatening for people who have chosen not to wear a helmet, even when required by local laws to do so.

In addition, many standard insurance policies specifically exclude cover for quad bike usage, whether as a driver or passenger. This means that in the case of an accident, holidaymakers will be liable for substantial medical bills, especially if they require the use of an air ambulance to get them back to the UK.

It is essential, therefore, that holidaymakers always make sure they are covered for any activities they plan to do whilst on holiday. Worryingly, three in ten (29%) people do not make sure their insurance covers them for activities before participating in them.

Many tour operators offer the opportunity for customers to book organised off-road bike excursions through reputable agencies, which follow appropriate health and safety guidelines and include safety briefings.

Image Source: Casper1774 Studio via Shutterstock



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