The death of a 42-year-old British tourist in a quad bike (ATV) crash on the island of Corfu has reignited concerns over the safety of the popular vehicles, particularly in tourist destinations where they are widely rented by visitors.
The accident occurred on Tuesday afternoon on a regional road in northern Corfu. According to authorities, the ATV driven by the tourist, who was carrying his minor son as a passenger, veered off course for reasons that remain under investigation, crossed into the opposite lane and crashed into an olive grove. The father was killed, while his son was hospitalized with multiple injuries.
The tragedy has prompted renewed debate over whether additional safety measures are needed to reduce the number of serious ATV accidents, which frequently occur during the summer tourism season.
Road safety experts interviewed on the issue argue that the core problem is not the vehicles themselves, but the lack of specialized training among drivers.
Aris Zografos, president of a national association of driving instructors and traffic education professionals, said many accidents occur because users do not understand how to handle ATVs properly. He called for the introduction of a dedicated driving license for the vehicles, noting that they require different skills from both cars and motorcycles.
According to Zografos, ATVs combine characteristics of cars and motorcycles but demand a distinct driving approach. He warned that without specialized training and licensing requirements, serious accidents are likely to continue occurring every summer as many riders underestimate the risks and view the vehicles as recreational toys.
Konstantinos Iaveris, a regional road safety official, echoed concerns about driver behavior, stressing that any vehicle can become dangerous in inexperienced hands. While modern ATVs include safety improvements compared with older models, he noted that riders remain highly exposed to injury in the event of a crash.
Iaveris also pointed to factors such as alcohol consumption, risky driving behavior and challenging road conditions, particularly in holiday destinations where visitors may be unfamiliar with local roads. He said some tourists operate ATVs at excessive speeds despite having little experience with the vehicles.
Both experts suggested that a separate licensing system could improve safety by ensuring riders receive proper training before operating ATVs.
However, neither supported proposals for a complete ban on quad bikes. Instead, they advocated stricter controls, enhanced training requirements and greater personal responsibility among drivers.
