Stay aware of motorcycle danger

ROAD safety authorities are urging Victorian motorists to be on the lookout for motorcyclists, with warmer weather likely to see more riders on the state’s roads. The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) recently joined the Department of Transport and Planning and Victoria Police to official launch Motorcyclist Awareness Month, in an effort to encourage motorists and motorcyclists to safely share the road. So far this year, 35 motorcyclists have died on Victorian roads, with more than a quarter of fatalities occurring since the beginning of spring. The figure marks a 17pc reduction on the same time last year, although authorities are keen to see the number of fatalities continue to decrease. One motorcyclist was killed after crashing into a tree at Byawatha in March, marking the only motorcycle fatality in the North East so far this year. TAC head of road safety Samantha Cockfield said motorcyclists were among the most vulnerable road users, accounting for 17 per cent of deaths and serious injuries on Victorian roads despite only making up four per cent of registered vehicles. She said 60 per cent of motorcyclist fatalities involved other vehicles. “Everyone needs to be aware of who they’re sharing the road with – motorcyclists are encourage to wear appropriate protective gear, and drivers should double check for riders at intersections and when changing lanes,” she said. “As the weather warms up and days get longer, we tend to see an increase in the number of motorcyclists on our roads, however, we can’t accept that more people will die as a result.” The TAC’s latest Motorcycle Monitor surveyed 949 Victorian motorcyclists and showed a large majority of riders do prioritise safety by wearing the appropriate protective gear. The monitor also showed an increase in the number of people wearing motorcycle-specific riding boots after a recent TAC safety campaign. Head of Road Safety Victoria, Marcelo Vidales, said the Victorian Government would continue investing in programs, campaigns and infrastructure aimed at improving motorcycle safety in the short and long term. “We’re committed to increasing the safety of all road users, particularly motorcyclists who are more vulnerable in a crash,” he said. “Both riders and drivers need to look out for each other and share the road safely.”

Stay aware of motorcycle danger

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