A second lone rider has crashed and died in NSW in the past day, lying for some time before being located.
In the first incidentyesterday afternoon (24 April 2019), a passing motorist found a 52-year-old male rider lying on the Nottingham Road Bridge next to his crashed bike.
NSW Police say it is unknown how long the man had been lying on the road.
Paramedics attended, but he died a short time later.
Second lone rider
In the second incident, a lone rider appears to have crashed overnight with his body found this morning in the Lake Macquarie region.
Just after 7.30am, police and emergency services were contacted after the body of a man and his bike were located down an embankment off George Booth Drive, Seahampton.
The man has not yet been formally identified.
It seems he may have crashed last night as police are asking motorists travelling in the area overnight to review their dash-cam footage.
Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District have established a crime scene and the site is being examined by specialist forensic officers.
Investigators would like to speak with anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who know of the rider’s movements.
If anyone has information either crash, contact Crime Stoppers or phone 1800 333 000. Information is treated in strict confidence. Do not send details via NSW Police social media pages.
Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of both riders.
Take care
The two incidents highlight the importance of lone riders telling someone where they are going and when they plan to arrive.
That way an alert can be despatched if they go missing.
Lone riders should also consider carrying a locator beacon or downloading a smartphone app that provides friends and family with their location.
One rider has died and another serious injured in allegedly single-vehicle motorcycle crashes in Brisbane over the past couple of days.
In the first incident, a 26-year-old Cornubia man died in a crash on Lytton Rd, Bulimba, at 5.30am yesterday (19 April 2019).
Police say it was a single-vehicle crash, although they have not yet concluded their investigations and are still calling for witnesses and dash cam vision.
In the second incident, police say a 47-year-old male rider from Kingston sustained life-threatening-injuries “following reports a motorcycle had left the Kingston Road and crashed”.
Again, police have not finished their investigations and are calling for witnesses and dash cam evidence.
Our condolences to the family and friends of the first rider and our best wishes for a speedy recovery for the second rider.
Single-vehicle crashes
The police allegations that these are single-vehicle motorcycle crashes are a concern.
It raises the spectre that the riders were at fault. Such assertions should not be made until investigations are completed.
Other vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians or a stray animal could have caused the crashes.
Claiming they are single-vehicle crashes only confirms in the minds of the public that riders have a death wish and do not deserve their respect and consideration.
These are dangerous assertions that jeopardise the safety of all riders.
In fact, the statistics show that more motorcycle fatalities are in multi-vehicle crashes.
“I think there is a view that riders are more likely to be at fault in accidents involving motorcycles and that speed is the common factor,” Steve says.
“We see this in single-vehicle accidents involving a motorcycle, where the rider is automatically deemed to be at fault.
“This ignores factors such as road condition, line markings, recent roadworks, lack of signage.”
Witnesses sought
If you have information for police on either of these incidents, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.
In the rider fatality, quote this reference number QP1900767388 and in the second incident, quote QP1900775488.
A 24-year old male rider has died and another male rider has been seriously injured in a multi-vehicle crash involving two motorcycles and two cars in Melbourne last night (15 April 2019).
Police are appealing for witnesses to the multi-vehicle collision in Clifton Hill at the intersection of Roseneath and Hoddle streets about 8pm.
The 24-year-old Northcote rider died at the scene while the other rider was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
The male driver of one of the vehicles was also taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are seeking witnesses travelling south bound along Hoddle Street in Clifton Hill that may have witnessed two motorcycles travelling together.
Investigators would also like to speak to the driver of a light-coloured Mercedes travelling southbound on Hoddle Street who would have witnessed the collision to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The same goes for anyone who may have information or dash-cam footage that could assist police; you can also submit a confidential online report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Our condolences to the family and friends of the young rider who died and out best wishes to the other for a seedy recovery.
It brings to 22 the number of riders who have died in Victoria so far this year, double the number over the same time last year.
No doubt police in Victoria, as well as other states, will be out in force over the Easter break.
In NSW, police are referring to their Easter operation as “Operation Tortoise”.
Double demerit
Double demerit points will apply in NSW, ACT and Western Australia from tomorrow and will return for the Anzac Day public holidays.
There is no double demerit system in Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, Northern Territory and South Australia.
If you are a rider from those states passing through those states and the ACT, double points will not apply.
However, Queensland riders should note that double points do apply to speeding offences of 21km/h or greater over the speed limit and seatbelt offences if they occur more than once within a 12 month period.
Victorian Motorcycle Council chairman Peter Baulch says the extra patrols were to be expected given the high rider toll.
NSW deaths
The three NSW deaths over the weekend were:
Just after 4.30pm on Sunday (24 March 2019), emergency services were called to the Great Western Highway at Meadow Flat, following reports a motorcyclist had come off his bike. Officers from Chifley Police District attended and found the 59-year-old man had died at the scene.
About 8.30am on Saturday, a motorcycle and a utility collided on Putty Road, Howells Valley, about 50km south of Singleton. The motorcycle rider, a 44-year-old man, sustained serious injuries and was flown to John Hunter Hospital, where he later died. The driver of the utility, a 58-year-old man, was uninjured. He was taken to Singleton Hospital for mandatory blood and urine tests.
Just before 7.30pm on Friday, emergency services were called to the New England Highway near Whittingham, after a motorcycle and two cars collided. Officers from Hunter Valley Police District rendered assistance. The 50-year-old rider died at the scene.
Our condolences to their families and friends.
Steve Pearce in action
Motorcycle Council of NSW chairman Steve Pearce says he is “always saddened” to hear of rider deaths.
“I think we all consider the effect on families and friends, and also the emergency services who have to attend the accident scene,” he says.
“A day out enjoying an activity which gives us so much joy can quickly change for the worse.”
Dangerous riding
NSW Police say they prosecuted several riders over the weekend for traffic dangerous offences:
About 12:20pm on Sunday, Highway Patrol motorcycle officers observed a motorcycle travelling towards them on the incorrect side of the road, while overtaking another vehicle across double yellow lines. The rider was issued an infringement notice for ‘not keep left of the dividing line’, fined $337, and lost three points.
About 3.35pm on Sunday, Hunter Valley Highway Patrol were carrying out “stationary speed enforcement” on the New England Highway at Lower Belford when they detected a motorcycle travelling at 169km/h in a 100km/h zone. Police activated lights and sirens and directed the rider to stop. A 25-year-old Dubbo man has been issued a traffic infringement notice for speeding by more than 45km/h and his licence was suspended.
About 11:20am on Saturday, at Carrathool, officers detected a rider at 160km/h in a 110km/h zone while overtaking another vehicle. The 19-year-old provisional licence-holder was arrested for a blood/urine analysis and issued an infringement notice for exceeding the speed limit over 45km/h. He was fined $2345, his licence was suspended for six months and his registration for three months.
Rider stopped by NSW Police for speeding
Vulnerable riders
NSW Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy of the state’s Traffic & Highway Patrol Command said there had been 18 rider deaths so far this year. That’s six more than at the same time last year.
“Drivers and riders alike need to make sure that they are doing the right thing and sharing our roads safely,” he says.
“Highway Patrol officers will continue out in force to prevent further harm to NSW road users; however, we need the help of the public to stem the current rise in fatalities.”
Steve provided these statistics that show motorcyclists are vulnerable road users:
17% of motorcycle fatalities involve alcohol levels over the legal limit;
Excessive speed is attributed to 54% of motorcycle fatalities; and
8% of motorcycle fatalities involve fatigue.
He says the highest number of motorcycle fatalities are in the age group under 30 while fatalities in the 50-59 age group tripled over the past 10 years. Males are the majority of fatalities (96%) and 17% of motorcyclists killed do not hold a valid Licence.
“These statistics don’t mean we should stay home,” Steve says.
“We just need to understand the risks we face as motorcyclists, and apply some basic risk strategies before we ride out.”
NSW Motorcycle Council rider advice
Ride to conditions: More than any other road user, motorcyclists are vulnerable to road conditions. If it doesn’t feel safe to continue, then stop and wait until conditions improve. You are the best judge. Toughing it out generally is an indicator of subjecting yourself to additional risk.
Risk assessment: The best road riders are risk managers. Take your own risk assessment before you go out for a ride. How much experience have I had with the type of riding I am about to start? Am I totally comfortable on the motorcycle I am riding? How fit am I? is the motorcycle well serviced and ready to go? If you have any doubts about your ability, readiness or fitness, its probably a good idea to stay home and polish the beast! There will be plenty of other opportunities to ride.
Training and experience: There are plenty of rider training schools offering skills development and refresher courses. If you can’t get to a course, spend some time on the Rider Risk video series on YouTube for riding and survival tips.
Rest every couple of hours: Plan your ride. On your way there will be some great places to stop and rest, and enjoy the local hospitality and scenery. Taking a regular break will keep you fresh and alert.
Don’t drink and ride: This is one of the easiest strategies we can implement to survive.
Speeding: It’s not the speed that is the problem, it’s what happens when a speeding rider has to cope with either changing road conditions or the random act of another motorist. Trees, guardrails, other moving objects, slippery road markings, gravel and potholes are not your friends when you come off a speeding motorcycle. Leave it for the racetrack.
Wear the best gear available: Research indicates that wearing the best protective gear available leads to a much better chance of survival. Why? Comfort and protection. If in doubt, refer to the testing results on the MotoCAP website and the MCCNSW Helmet videos.
“Local police will look at problematic locations and particular patterns in bad driver behaviour and target accordingly,” he says.
“This gives us our best chance to influence drivers across the whole state.”
“We see first-hand time and time again the devastation experienced by the victims’ families, as well as our first responders directly because of road trauma.
“Enough is enough and action needs to be taken. Every time a motorist sees police on the road it is a reminder to follow the roads rules.
“We have seen increased motorist compliance from road rule enforcement, so we will have additional police in the community to make this happen.
“The community can’t continue with their current driving habits as it is ultimately killing friends, family, and loved ones.”
