Get A Grip Training Solutions managing director Adrian Bowen says complacency and distractions are two of the biggest dangers to farm vehicle safety.

"Farmers are on their farms all the time, so the main thing is to be aware of what is different today than yesterday.

"It could be that there has been rain, the track is more slippery.

"So it's about always being mindful and never getting to the point of thinking 'she'll be right'"

Bowen said disaster can strike when people focus on the task at hand rather than driving their vehicle.

" Accidents can happen because they are focusing on their job, mustering sheep, and they are not aware of what's happening on the terrain around them at the time."

Bowen teaches driver skills for heavy vehicles and four-wheel drives on off-road terrain to individuals and corporate groups.

Endorsed by the New Zealand Transport Authority and Primary Industry Training Organisation, Bowen's clients include Growing Future Farmers, Young Farmers, government agencies, and agri-businesses.

Bad driving habits can be passed down generations, and Bowen believes all farmers and rural professionals whose jobs involve off-road terrain in tractors, side-by-sides, ATVs, and utes should undergo specialist training.

"Who taught them? Probably their Dad or Grandad, and who is to say they had the best practices?"

Bowen's students start with the basics, and by the end of the day, they can safely drive down 40-50 degrees slopes.

He utilises the Parkley 4WD training track just out of Amberley in North Canterbury.

The track, owned by rural motoring journalist and four-wheel drive enthusiast Ken Strugnell, was purpose-built as an all-weather training course covering around 70 acres.

The facility includes a conference room where Bowen can take students through health and safety and theory before they get out in their vehicles.

"Our goal is to build up their skills and get them to a point where they can be competent to operate the vehicle.

"The vehicle will outdo what they believe it could do."

It often comes down to less is more when it comes to throttle.

"We have a saying: If you have traction, you have control, and as slow as necessary but as fast as possible."

Bowen said that when you are going fast, things can go wrong fast.

"If you are taking your time, you can fix it and back off something."

More information from organisations like Work Safe following on-farm accidents and fatalities would mean trainers like Bowen could tailor their training around real-life scenarios, hopefully creating better outcomes.

"From the middle of November to December last year, we had four vehicle fatalities on farms, but we didn't find out enough about those incidents.

"We don't know if they were similar or poles apart.

"That information is great for us trainers because we can implement that knowledge into our courses.

"More people will perish without that knowledge."

Despite the knowledge gaps around on-farm accidents, Bowen supports crush protection devices on four-wheelers, saying, "Every farm should have them on their bikes." However, side-by-sides are safe by default, with built-in crush protection—provided they are used correctly.

"They have doors and nets, but the nets are often not engaged because farmers need to get in and out of the vehicle constantly, which can be a pain when mustering.

"But they are there for a reason."

Bowen said nets can stay off if the vehicle is on flat ground and speed is kept to a minimum.

"As soon as you are moving with a bit more speed, the nets need to go back on."

When it comes to seatbelts on side-by-sides, Bowen recommends wearing them, even if it seems inconvenient.

"They are there for a reason."

As for helmets – Bowen's message is clear.

"Helmets definitely, all of the time.

"You've only got one brain."

By Claire Inkson