Road safety partners urge riders to reduce their risks

18 May 2010

MEDIA RELEASE: Tuesday 18 May, 2010

The Victorian Government's arrive alive partners are urging riders to reduce their risks following an increase in riders dying on the roads this year.

So far this year, there has almost been a doubling of motorcycle deaths with 28 riders dying on Victoria's roads compared to 15 at the same time last year. All fatalities were male with 16 dying on rural roads and 12 dying on Melbourne roads.

VicRoads Executive Director of Road Safety and Network Access, David Shelton said, "We have seen a shocking spike in the number of riders dying on our roads this year with 28 families left grappling with their loss."

"We are urging all riders to take care on our roads and to do everything they can to reduce their risks."

Key statistical features of motorcyclist deaths to date this year include:

• 79% (22 riders) were aged over 30 years of age
• 36% (10 riders) involved in single vehicle crashes
• 36% (10 riders) had accidents on 100km/h roads
• 43% (12 riders) had accidents on 60km/h or less roads
• 57% (16 crashes) were on rural roads
• 36% (10 crashes) involved excessive or inappropriate speed
• 23% of fatalities in 2010 have been motorcycle riders, compared to 13% at the same time last year.

Victoria Police State Highway Patrol Inspector David Griffin said, "The statistics speak for themselves. There are far too many riders dying unnecessarily on our roads with speed a key factor in many of the crashes."

"We'll do everything we can from an enforcement perspective to keep people safe on our roads but unfortunately we can't be everywhere. Ultimately it is up to individual riders to understand and mitigate their risk of serious injury and death each time they hop on their bikes."

Independent research shows that riders are 38 times more likely than car occupants to be seriously injured or killed in a crash.

Currently motorcyclists account for 4% of the Victorian motor-vehicle fleet and for less than 1% of the vehicle kilometres travelled. However, riders continue to be over-represented in road trauma.

TAC's Senior Manager of Road Safety and Marketing, John Thompson said, "We have public education campaigns to educate both motorists and riders of the increased risks faced by riders."

"One of the campaigns educates motorists about the difficulties of seeing riders, particularly at complex locations such as intersections. Another campaign reminds riders to reduce their risks every time they ride. This can be as simple as slowing down or wearing protective clothing."
 
 "There is absolutely no excuse for riders not to wear full protective clothing every time they ride. Protective clothing will help minimise the severity of injuries sustained when involved in a crash and may even save your life."

"Given the recent spate of horrific crashes involving riders, we urge riders to remember that regardless of who is at fault in a road crash, it will be the motorcyclist who will come off second best."

"Please protect yourselves and give yourself the best chance of survival." Mr Thompson said.

Media Contacts:

TAC: Amanda Bavin – 03 5225 6591
VicRoads: Damian Booth – 03 9854 2160
Department of Justice: Sam Bishop – 03 8684 0302
Victoria Police: Sarah Campbell -  03 9247 5204