Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
03 August 2016 08:00
ABTA is warning tourists about the dangers of quad bikes after a series of accidents abroad
A travel advice service is warning holidaymakers about the dangers of hiring quad bikes this summer after a man suffered a fractured skull and lost his sight on one eye in an accident.
The Association of British Travel Agents is urging people to remember that Quad bikes are not always covered by travel insurance.
More and more holidaymakers are hiring quad bikes as a means to get around, often on main roads and in resorts.
ABTA has warned that without any training, road experience or proper protection this could be extremely dangerous.
In Greece alone there have been five incidents involving holidaymakers and quad bikes since June.
The advice service say it is be better to book quad bikes through tour operators as they 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".
Check your policy
Three in 10 people do not make sure their insurance covers them for activities before participating in them.
This means that in the case of an accident, holidaymakers could be liable for medical costs - which can add up - especially if they require the use of an air ambulance to get them back to the UK.
"One snap decision completely transformed my life"
Melanie Simmonds was seriously hurt after a quad bike crash in Greece. It took over a year for her to recover from her injuries.
The 32-year-old advised holidaymakers to be aware that quad bikes are "heavy and dangerous".
She said: One snap decision completely transformed my life. I could have lost the use of my legs or worse, my life."
Melanie believes that her injuries could have been far worse if she had not been wearing her camera on her back as it helped soften the impact of her crash.
She added that she was not covered by her insurance as she had not planned to use a quad bike before her trip.
She said: "Value your life and your safety because accidents can happen to anyone and your life can change in an instant."
07 December 2018
Women who don't attend cervical screenings should be offered testing kits they can use at home, new research suggests.
[more...]
06 December 2018
Ryanair could be slapped with enforcement action from the airline regulator after it refused compensation for passengers hit by flight disruption caused by staff taking strike action.
05 December 2018
Protein supplements and muscle training could be the most effective ways to delay or reverse the effects of frailty, a new study suggests.
04 December 2018
Mumford and Sons bassist Ted Dwane has helped create a new exhibition to raise awareness of the loneliness felt by people living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
01 December 2018
A leading charity has praised the actions of Lloyd Russell-Moyle, saying the Labour MP had "done everybody a service" by disclosing his HIV status.
30 November 2018
Sweating out the daily stresses in a sauna could be linked to a reduced risk of death from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in people aged 50 and over, according to a new study.
29 November 2018
Hitting the Copacabana could soon become a more realistic aim for holidaymakers, with Norwegian set to become the first budget airline to operate UK-Brazil flights.
28 November 2018
Holidaymakers on the UK's proposed new high-speed trainline could have their Amazon packages delivered directly to their seat, according to a train manufacturer.
27 November 2018
Over half of UK frontline medical staff worry their hospitals won't be able to keep patients safe this winter, according to an "alarming" new survey.
24 November 2018
Patients who suffer from a severe form of stroke should be offered a procedure to remove the blood clot up to a day after the onset of their symptoms, draft new guidelines suggest.
23 November 2018
Rising obesity levels have led to a record number of youngsters being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, a leading charity has warned.
22 November 2018
An Alzheimer's vaccine has moved closer to becoming a reality after research found that preventing a build-up of toxic brain proteins is possible.