Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Vehicles Used in Sports Coverage

A guide to the safe use and provision of vehicles used in sports coverage, including quad bikes and golf buggies.

Updated: 22 March 2024

This includes filming from vehicles (e.g. from motor bikes; use of mini-cams on/in vehicles) and the use of golf buggies or similar as a mode of transport around the event.

What Can Go Wrong?

  • Driver/rider error or distraction leading to crash/accident
  • Vehicle collision with sports competitor, event staff or spectators
  • Broadcast or filming equipment falling from vehicle causing danger to other road users
  • Mechanical failure of vehicle e.g. due to poor maintenance
  • Out of control vehicle e.g. due to operator error
  • Vehicle unlicensed for use in question or incorrect permissions obtained.

Legal/Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Requirements

  • Local/event licensing requirements/permissions for vehicle and/or operator
  • Local bylaws for equipment protruding from vehicles
  • Buggies MUST never be operated on a public road unless specifically licensed to do so (NOTE: buggies are not normally licensed for road use)
  • Road traffic legislation.

Control Measures

General Controls

  • Select a competent contractor for vehicle filming.
  • Obtain a risk assessment from the contractor and check that it covers expected hazards.
  • Ensure driver/rider is experienced and competent for the specific activity, vehicle and intended conditions.
  • Obtain necessary permissions from authorities/governing bodies and ensure any equipment protruding from the vehicle complies with local road bylaws.
  • During production planning consider road type, traffic conditions, speed, weather, route, spectators, other road users (eg rubber necking).
  • Driver/rider should not look at camera or camera monitor other than occasional glances equivalent to checking mirror or other instrument.
  • Broadcast equipment should be firmly secured in place (by a competent person), whether external or internal to the vehicle, using secure fixings and anchors. Attach a lanyard to hand held cameras to restrict its travel.
  • Ensure camera does not obstruct air bag and is not located where it could injure driver or passenger in the event of an accident.
  • Wear personal protective equipment as advised by risk assessment and/or legal requirement, eg helmets, seat restraints. Seatbelts should normally be worn if present.
  • If attaching a go-pro to a helmet, do not mount at the front of the helmet looking back towards the wearer, due to the risk of facial injury on frontal impact.  

Golf Buggies or Similar Vehicles

  • Provide and maintain a register of authorised drivers to operate golf or similar buggies.
  • Only authorise buggy operators who are 23 or over; hold a valid DVLA or equivalent and are experienced (or have been instructed by a nominated person on site) on how to safely operate the buggy for the terrain concerned, including how to avoid overturns.
  • Inform buggy operators of site rules for speed, safe routes, refuelling, buggy capacity etc. Authorised operators should sign to confirm receipt and understanding.
  • Prevent unauthorised use of buggies, eg require keys to be removed and returned to authorised holder.
  • All buggy passengers should be seated with arms and legs within the cart.

Division Specific Issues

  • No division specific issues.

FAQs/Did You Know?

  • Golf buggies are usually silent, so pedestrians are often unaware of their presence.
  • There is a history of serious accidents associated with golf type buggies, which is why the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ insists on making sure they are only used by authorised operators who are properly instructed/experienced in their use.

Sports topics

Vehicle topics

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About this site

This site describes what the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ does in relation to managing its health, safety and security risks and is intended for those who work directly for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.

It is not intended to provide instruction or guidance on how third parties should manage their risks. The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ cannot be held liable for how this information is interpreted or used by third parties, nor provide any assurance that adopting it would provide any measure of legal compliance. More information

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