Tag Archives: nsw police

Rash of NSW trail bike crashes

There has been a sad run of trail bike deaths and injuries in NSW in the past week.

Rider dies at Figtree

Emergency services were called about 6.20pm yesterday (16 June 2020) when a man had not returned home after going for a trail bike ride alone in the bush at Figtree.

Police attended and started a search. The 24-year-old man was located in bushland one kilometre west of O’Brien Rd, Figtree.

NSW Ambulance paramedics attended, however the rider died at the scene.

It is believed the trail bike rider was alone when he “lost control of his motorcycle” and hit a tree.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Cooma trail bike crash

Three trail bike riders were riding along Wadbilliga Rd, Tuross, east of Cooma, at 1.45pm on Saturday (13 June), when one fell off, about 2km from Tuross Rd.

A second rider went to the man’s aid, while a third left to seek assistance before an emergency beacon was activated, alerting emergency services.

Officers attached to Monaro Police District attended, along with NSW Ambulance paramedics.

Sadly, the 58-year-old male rider died at the scene.

Wagga Wagga crash

A teenager is in a critical condition after a single-vehicle trail bike crash at Wagga Wagga last Wednesday, just after midnight.

Police were told the unregistered trail bike was being ridden on a dirt track in parkland off Ashmont Avenue, Ashmont, by a 15-year-old boy.

He crashed and sustained life-threatening head injuries. His 23-year-old male pillion was also injured.

Both were taken to Wagga Wagga Base Hospital.

Reports on the fatal crashes will be prepared for the coroner.

Anyone with information about any of these incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

Our sincere condolences to the families and friends of the riders who passed away and our best wishes to the injured rider and pillion for swift and full recovery.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Double demerit points for long weekend

Double demerit points are in place in NSW and the ACT this Queen’s Birthday long weekend with NSW Police launching Operation Stay Alert from midnight tonight (5 June 2020).

NSW Police say they will have officers “out in force targeting speeding, drink and drug driving, driving while fatigued, mobile phone, helmet and other traffic offences” until midnight on Monday (8 June 2020).

On Wednesday, stationary Random Breath Test (RBT) and Roadside Drug Test (RDT) resumed following the easing of various pandemic restrictions affecting licensed premises and travel.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, says double demerit points will be in effect during the “high-visibility operation”.

Closed borders

NSW and Victoria have not closed their borders, so riders can enter NSW.

However, they may face some difficulty returning home.

Lions Rd borderLions Rd Qld/NSW border still closed

Some Queensland borders are closed such as on the Lions Rd. Others are open, but riders will need to get an entry pass so they can return. You can get a pass by clicking here. It only takes a minute.

South Australian riders should click here for details on their border closure measures.

Double demerits danger

Riders from Victoria, Tasmania, Northern Territory and South Australia passing through NSW, ACT or WA during any declared holiday period do not cop the double demerits.

However, Queensland riders should note that double-demerit points are effectively in place all year round.

The law in Queensland is 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.

If you incur the penalty in another state, it still applies as if it happened in Queensland.

Lawyer Stephen Hayles of Macrossan and Amiet Solicitors says he has been asked by clients about the system after copping a fine in an applicable state.

“For example if you commit two speeding offences of driving 21km/h over the speed limit in a 12 month period, you will be allocated four demerit points for the first offence and four demerit points for the second offence plus an additional four demerit points,” he says.

“This means that you will have accumulated 12 demerit points within a 12 month period and you risk having your licence suspended.”

How demerit points are recorded

NSW police blitz demerit

Double points apply in NSW and ACT over the Australia Day weekend, Easter, Anzac Day, Queen’s Birthday, Labour Day and Christmas/New Year.

In WA, the double points apply on Australia Day (unless it falls on a week day), Labour Day, Easter, Anzac Day (unless it falls on a week day), Western Australia Day, Queen’s Birthday, and Christmas/New Year.

If a rider in another state commits a traffic offence in a state during a double-demerit period, the offence is recorded as a double demerit offence on their traffic history in the state where the offence happened.

The state licensing authority will then report the offence to the transport department in your state who will record the offence on your traffic history.

However, the double points will only apply in Queensland under the circumstances described above.

Choice of penalty

Stephen says that if you have committed a traffic offence recently and you receive a Queensland Transport notice that you have accumulated your allowed demerits, you will have a choice of a good driving behaviour period or a licence suspension for a period.

“When considering whether to agree to a good behaviour driving behaviour period and a licence suspension, it is important that a licence holder understands that accepting a suspension of their licence may preclude them from making an Application for a Special Hardship Order or an Application for a Restricted (Work) Licence for the next five years,” he warns.

If you are unsure about how many demerit points you have, you can search your record online at your state’s transport department website or call them and request a copy of your traffic history.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Two charged after stolen bike crash

Two men riding a stolen motorcycle and not wearing helmets have been arrested and charged after a police pursuit on the NSW Central Coast today (31 May 2020).

Just after 10.30am, a motorcycle, allegedly stolen from an Erina shopping centre, was seen travelling on Hely Street at Wyong.

At the time, the rider and pillion passenger were not wearing helmets.

Officers from NSW Police Brisbane Water Police Area Command attempted to stop the motorcycle on Enterprise Drive.

When it allegedly failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated before being terminated shortly after due to safety concerns.

Stolen bike

The stolen motorcycle continued through the Central Coast area and was monitored by PolAir.

At the intersection of Erina Street and Henry Parry Drive, Gosford, the rider and another vehicle crashed.

The rider and passenger were thrown from the motorcycle and fled.

Shortly after, a 30-year-old man was arrested nearby.

The second man ran to the rooftop car park of a nearby abandoned shopping centre. Police followed on foot, before the man jumped a barrier, landing on a window ledge below.

With the assistance from Fire & Rescue NSW, Police Rescue and other specialist resources, the 23-year-old man was rescued and arrested.

Both men were taken to Gosford Hospital, under police guard, suffering injuries sustained in the crash.

The younger man has been charged with:

  • Larceny (two counts);
  • Shoplifting;
  • Take and drive conveyance;
  • Police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly;
  • Drive recklessly/furiously or speed manner dangerous;
  • Unlicensed rider; and
  • Rider without helmet with passenger.

He has also been charged with a revocation warrant.

The older man has been charged with:

  • Motorbike passenger no helmet;
  • Be carried in conveyance;
  • Possess a prohibited drug (two counts); and
  • Breach of bail.

They have been bail refused to appear in Newcastle Local Court on Monday (1 June 2020).

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Remanded in custody over rider murder

A 31-year-old man has been remanded in custody over a murder charge after the ute he was travelling in hit and killed motorcyclist Jake Smith (above), 24, of Werribee.

Damien Janson of Petland Hills appeared in Ballarat Magistrates Court yesterday (25 May 2020) where he was remanded to reappear again via video link for committal mention on 29 October 2020.

No application was made for bail, so he will remain in custody for the next five months.

Victoria’s homicide squad charged Janson two days after the crash that killed Jake about 7.15pm, at Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, last Wednesday (20 May 2020).

Police believe Jake may have known the people in the ute.

The 36-year-old male driver of the ute continued on for about a kilometre before pulling up and remaining at the scene with one of his passengers, a 28-year-old man.

It is alleged Janson, who was also a passenger, fled on foot.

He turned himself into police the next afternoon and was charged with one count of murder.

The driver and the other passenger were arrested on the night of the incident but have been released as investigations continue.

Anyone with information or with dashcam footage is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The ABC reports that Jake’s family and friends were present in the court, and as the defendant was escorted out, the deceased Werribee man’s step-mother yelled “rat”.

In another tragic twist, Jake’s 15-year-old brother died in similar circumstances in 2013, when his mini motorbike collided with a car in Werribee.

Appeal for dashcam vision

In another incident, NSW Police are appealing for information after a crash between a car and motorbike on Hoxton Park Road, Cartwright, in Sydney’s west, about 1.40pm on Monday (25 May 2020).

The rider, a 19-year-old man, was taken to Liverpool Hospital where he will undergo surgery.

The driver of the Nissan Skyline, a 24-year-old man, was not injured.

Liverpool Police Area Command officers would like to speak with any motorists who may have witnessed the incident or may have dashcam footage from the area.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Speed cameras back as travel bans eased

Queensland Police have reintroduced random speed cameras just in time for the eased pandemic travel restrictions from Saturday (2 May 2020).

Riders will only be allowed to travel within a 50km radius of their homes, not outside the state and only with one other rider or several if they are from your household.

When the lockdown started in early March, Queensland Police stopped using random speed cameras.

However, they will be back in force along with patrols to ensure motorists do not travel further than 50km from home. Otherwise, they face a fines of $1330.

Police released a video of speeding examples, including  a rider doing 161km/h in a 110km/h zone on the Pacific Highway at Pimpama on Monday (27 April 2020).

Other speeding motorist examples were:

  • 73km/h and 152km/h in 100km/h zone on Old Goombungee Road, Birnam (April 26);
  • 168km/h in 100km/h zone on the Bruce Highway between Barretts Road and Howard Heights Road, Cherwell (April 27); and
  • 153km/h in 70km/h zone Albert Street and Logan River Road, Bethania (April 27).

The police move to bring back speed cameras follows our recent article which showed traffic offences are understandably down as there are fewer vehicles on the road, but the lockdown is also creating lonely roads where motorists are hitting some ridiculous speeds.

It seems some riders and other motorists have been exploiting the lonely roads and lack of speed cameras, often with late-night and early morning high-speed runs.

Two 20-something motorcyclists riding at speeds up to 200km/h were charged following two separate pursuits with NSW Police in Sydney’s south west.

NSW Police say that during the lockdown there has been a 40% increase in high-range speeding offences over 30km/h and 45km/h compared with the same period last year.

Queensland Police gave us three other examples of high-speed riders who recently copped high-range speeding offences costing $1245 and eight demerit points:

  • On April 1 around 4.14pm a 31-year-old man riding a Harley Davidson was allegedly detected travelling 194km/h in 100 zone on Logan Motorway at Larapinta;
  • On April 2 around 10am a 37-year-old man on a Yamaha motorcycle was allegedly detected travelling 126km/h in a 60 zone on to Logan Motorway onramp at Drewvale; and
  • On April 6 around 10.30am a 61-year-old man on a Honda was detected travelling 102km/h in a 60 zone on Tamborine Oxenford Road at Wongawallen.

Rules eased

restrictionsGoogle Maps shows how far Ipswich riders can go.

This weekend, Queensland restrictions will be eased allowing riders to travel 50km from their home for recreation.

It is among several eased measures that will be used as a test to see if the public can exercise some restraint and control.

Authorities say they will penalise flagrant abuses.

Keep Calm Key Tag

They may also penalise the rest of the community by tightening restrictions again if too many people flout the rules as we saw last week when Sydney opened beaches only to close them again after they became overcrowded.

Meanwhile, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says riding a motorcycle is exercise and therefore legal.

She says NSW Police have not booked anybody for riding a motorbike, “because that is akin to riding an exercise bike”.

However, NSW Police have further interpreted the rules to say people can leave their house for “brief exercise in your own neighbourhood”.

But you can ride to visit a “partner” with whom you don’t live.

So it’s not a free-for-all under the pretence of exercise.

Gladys’s claim that police have not fined riders is also not entirely correct.

On 9 April 2020, a motorcyclist was stopped by police on Oxford Street, Gateshead.

Officers spoke with the 36-year-old man, who allegedly provided “multiple conflicting reasons for not being home before stating he was on his way to help a friend fix a bike”.

The officers deemed his reasons for travel as non-essential and issued the man with a $1000 fine.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Female rider dies in crash with ute

(File photo of a ute and motorcycle crash)

A female rider in her late 30s has died in a collision with a ute in Bathurst, NSW, this morning (29 April 2020).

NSW Police say emergency services were called to the crash scene on Ophir Road about 9.30am.

Officers from Chifley Police District were told the rider was travelling west when she collided with a ute.

Tragically, she died at the scene.

Our sincere condolences to her family and friends.

The driver of the ute, a man believed to be aged in his 50s, was uninjured. He was taken to Bathurst Hospital for mandatory testing.

Inquiries continue and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

Commute traffic lane filtering speed wet NSW sydney police commuting slow speeding speed limitIndeed, slow down and back off

Ute crashes

Without suggesting any blame for this incident, it seems that a lot of motorcycle crashes involve a ute.

Just do a search for “ute crash” on this page and you will see.

We suggest riders exercise extra caution when riding near utilities and trucks.

Ute drivers often use them as their work vehicle and may be distracted by calls involving their work.

They can also be loaded up with equipment and tools that could illegally disrupt a clear view of a small motorcycle in traffic.

You should also be aware that in some states, such as Victoria, there is no legal requirement for these drivers to cover their load.

So watch out for hazardous objects that could fall out of them.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Rider dies in crash into trees

A man believed to be in his 30s has died when his motorcycle crashed into trees on Mandalong Rd in the Lake Macquarie region of NSW about 6.15pm yesterday (2 March 2020).

NSW Police believe the rider was travelling south on the gravel road when his bike left the roadway and crashed into trees.

The rider was treated by passing motorists until NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived but he died at the scene.

The man is yet to be formally identified but is believed to be aged in his 30s.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Police District attended and established a crime scene, which was examined by specialist police.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

The result of the crash may never be known, but at that time of evening in that forested area, wildlife could have played a part.

Critical condition

Meanwhile, a man is still in a critical condition in Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, after a motorcycle crash in Sydney’s south-west on Saturday.

NSW Police have been told a motorcycle and car travelling south on Edgar Street near Augusta Street, Condell Park, collided about 12.45pm.

The motorcycle crashed into a pole.

The rider, a 23-year-old man, was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics at the scene before being taken to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition. The driver of the vehicle was uninjured.

Anyone with information about either of these incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

Our sincere condolences to the deceased rider’s family and friends and our sincere best wishes to the injured rider for a full and swift recovery.

Stupid speed

In Victoria, Greensborough Highway Patrol caught a motorcycle rider speeding and drink driving at Watsons Creek on Sunday morning.

Officers clocked the Ducati motorcycle travelling along Eltham Yarra Road at 110km/h in a 60km zone about 9.45am.

The rider was intercepted, and the male rider returned a positive preliminary breath test.

He was taken to a police station where he returned a blood alcohol reading of .061.

The motorcycle was immediately impounded for 30 days.

A 35-year-old Diamond Creek man is expected to be charged on summons with drink driving and exceed speed.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Driver committed on hit-run bike crash

After six months and seven court appearances, a driver who allegedly ran a red light, hitting and injuring a motorcyclist, has finally been committed to stand trial.

Driver Daniel Marjoribanks was charged on 12 September 2019 after the crash at the intersection of Schofields and Windsor roads, Rouse Hill.

He appeared for the seventh time this week in Parramatta Local Court where the matter was adjourned for a hearing on 5 June 2020.

NSW Police say his Nissan utility was travelling south on Windsor Road, Rouse Hill, about 9.30pm when it approached the intersection of Schofields Road and was faced with a red right turn arrow.

“The driver allegedly turned right against the red arrow and struck a motorcycle which was being ridden north through the intersection,” police will allege.

The motorcyclist, a 63-year-old man, suffered multiple compound fractures to his right leg and fractured ribs.

Marjoribanks was charged with:

  • Dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm;
  • Negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm;
  • Fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing grievous bodily harm;
  • Fail to stop and assist after impact cause injury;
  • Drive when visiting privileges withdrawn – first offence; and
  • Not give particulars to injured person.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Unlicensed trail bikes riders copped

Unlicensed trail bike riders have been caught by NSW Police for a variety of offences in a move we applaud and many other riders should.

Unlicensed riders on unregistered motorcycles, often wearing inappropriate gear and performing dangerous and illegal stunts, give the rest of us law-abiding riders a bad name.

Trail bike operation

Lake Macquarie Police District targeted the illegal use of unregistered trail bikes in an operation yesterday (Wednesday 19 February 2020), focusing on the areas of Windale, Glendale and Cameron Park.

During the operation, a rider was seen travelling on Main Road, Cameron Park before the 28-year-old man was arrested on Nancy Close about 3pm.

He was taken to Toronto Police Station and charged with drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, display misleading plates, use unregistered and uninsured vehicle, possess prohibited drugs and drive whilst disqualified.

The Teralba man has been refused bail to appear at Toronto Local Court today.

A second rider, a 33-year-old man, was arrested about 4.20pm after being seen travelling from Windale to Dudley.

Unlicensed and unregistered trail bike riders nabbed by policeAn unlicensed and unregistered trail bike rider nabbed by police

He was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, use unregistered and uninsured vehicle, rider not wear helmet, unlicensed rider and trespass.

The Gateshead man has been granted conditional bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on Monday 24 February 2020

During the operation, police also issued three infringements for negligent driving, two youth cautions for riding unregistered bikes and seized four unregistered trail bikes.

Lake Macquarie Police District Commander Superintendent Daniel Sullivan said police will continue to detect and deter illegal trail bike offences throughout the Lake Macquarie area through these operations.

“The behaviour of trail bike riders is a major concern for police. Their reckless behaviour not only places their lives at risk but more importantly, those of innocent people,” he says.

“When riders are detected breaking the law, police will take appropriate action by issuing infringements, charges, suspending licences and seizing bikes.”

Comment

Dirt bikeMBW enjoys the occasional legal “dirt squirt”

We applaud the crackdown on unlicensed trail bike riders on unregistered bikes, even if it means some legitimate riders may be held up by police for licence checks.

Unlicensed and unregistered riders not only give us a bad name, but they tend to crash and die and distort the road toll statistics which authorities use to further harass riders.

While there are many legitimate trail and adventure riders and we also enjoy getting off the main roads and on to forestry trails, there are trail bike riders who also do the wrong thing.

Among their sins are riding off designated trails, trespassing, riding through paddocks, alarming livestock, causing erosion and not closing farm gates behind them.

It is getting so bad that some states are now considering banning people from riding bikes on their own land within 500m of a neighbour because of the noise.

Electric trail bikes should help resolve that issue.

Meanwhile, there are still many legitimate forestry tails for registered trail and adventure bikes and 4WDs.

We found these websites for various states: Queensland, NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and  Western Australia.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Liverpool driver on bike crash charge

Liverpool driver Shaokun Zhu, 30, appeared in court today charged with negligence after allegedly driving through a give way sign and hitting a motorcyclist in Sydney’s west on 30 October 2019.

NSW Police allege he was driving a Volkswagen Passat west along Cabramatta Road West when he went through a Give Way sign without stopping.

His VW hit a motorbike being ridden by a 28-year-old man who was thrown from the bike.

The rider suffered significant injuries including a fractured shoulder, pelvis and hip, as well as serious cuts and abrasions.

He was treated at the scene before being taken to Liverpool Hospital where he remains in a stable condition.

The scene was examined by officers from the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit.

Shaokun Zhu was arrested and charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.

His licence was suspended, and he was given conditional bail.

The matter was today adjourned to 29 January 2020 again in Liverpool Local Court. Conditional bail continues.

If found guilty, he could face up to seven years in jail.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com