Tag Archives: police

Qld Police offer rider safety course

A rider survival course created by Jimboomba Police south of Brisbane may soon spread across the state and even interstate.

The How to keep it up-right skill-enhancing program was the brainchild of riders and Jimboomba coppers Senior Sergeant Peter Waugh and Sgt Rob Duncan.

Peter, who rides a Yamaha Super Tenere, says they were inspired to do something about rider safety because of the dubious honour of being part of the South Eastern Region which has the state’s highest number of motorcycle fatalities.

The first course was called Mouldy Hogs for riders who hadn’t ridden a motorbike for a few years. 

“We found a lot of old riders who hadn’t ridden for five or 10-plus years were hopping on powerful motorbikes and getting into trouble handling the power and the brakes,” Peter says. 

“We got TMR (Transport and Main Roads) funding for that course a few years ago and we thought it was pretty good, so we surveyed people who did it and spoke to TMR and looked at the stats and thought we could run a better course.”

He says they sought expert advice from rider trainers, ambulance and the police accident investigation unit to develop the improved How to keep it up-right course.

Attendees at the Jimboomba Police rider survival course

The current course costs $50 and has TMR support funding for 750 riders.

“The $50 is really a token cost,” Peter says. 

“If we gave it for free, people wouldn’t value it. Besides, it includes a first-aid kit prepared by Queensland Ambulance and some other extras.

First aid kit

“It’s not a go-fast or track-day course, but a survival course.”

Courses are held on weekends and you can book online by clicking here. Numbers are limited as they have a one-in-five ratio of trainers to attendees. 

The course may soon also be available in other parts of Australia.

“We’ve had people from the national riders association attend the course and NSW and Victoria coppers who’ve come up and looked at the course and Queensland coppers who want to take the course on,” he says. 

TMR will assess the effectiveness of the course when it finishes later this year. 

“Is it the best? There is always room for improvement,” says Peter.

Now I know what you’re thinking: “This is just an opportunity for coppers to write infringement tickets for illegal modifications.”

But Peter says that even though they always have a Road Policing Unit officer attend course, they have never booked anyone who has attended the course. 

“We are not out there to look for illegal modifications, etc. Even my bike has different pipes!”

He also acknowledges that the survival course only attracts people who are already concerned about their safety and not the errant hoon riders who cause most of the problems.

“I agree that your average hoon that does burnouts will never attend our course and I don’t want them anyway,” he says. 

“But if you go with the right attitude you will learn. You can’t go on a course and learn nothing. Even if it reinforces things you’ve already learnt, it is worthwhile.”

He says the course has an emphasis on avoiding dangerous situations, putting the onus on the rider for their own safety.

“We try to get away from blaming other motorists,” he says. 

“We are trying to give you the knowledge and experience to not put yourself in that position.”

The course involves:

  • Practical advice and practising cornering, braking, roadcraft and bike control skills;
  • Understanding how your brain and vision work together to improve riding;
  • Why other road users don’t see you and what you can do about it’
  • How to recognise “uh oh” moments and how to prevent them;
  • Learn how to maximise rider enjoyment while minimising risks;
  • Expert advice from QPS officers and first aid from a QAS paramedic.

The course includes:

  • 1 year membership to the SMART Rider Academy with access to online content as it is released;
  • Monthly online “tune-up” session with coaches;
  • Deals on riding gear from program partners; and
  • A first-aid kit.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Police host Helmets and Hoods Motorcycle Expo 

Queensland Police are hosting a Helmets and Hoods Motorcycle Expo at willowbank raceway, west of Brisbane, on Thursday November 18 from 4-8pm.

It’s a strange time to be hosting a motorcycle event, especially since it is a night-time event on the fringes of urban Ipswich where there are kangaroos roaming at night!

The flyer features MX Pro Todd Waters (pictured above) with whom you can have your photo taken at the QPS stall. Not sure why a dirt bike rider is a feature of a “road” safety event!

Those points aside, you can be assured there will be the usual messaging from the police about seed and rider vulnerability.

Senior Constable Kerrin Sheedy says the event is “an opportunity to network and share information, whilst raising awareness of motorcycle safety and security”.

The event will include motorcycle demonstrations from  Mount Cotton Revolution Rider Training, presentations from QPS Road Policing, a Standard Drinks presentation from Ipswich District Crime Prevention Unit, Spinal and Brain injuries presentations, as well as a sausage sizzle by Ulysses.

There will also be raffle prizes.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Uni promotes more covert cameras

A Monash University Accident Research Centre professor has told the Australasian Road Safety Conference (28-30 September 2021) that mobile speed cameras need to be located in less predictable locations.

Professor Maxwell Cameron‘s comments follow the recent Victorian Government announcement to increase mobile speed camera hours by 75%.

He says the increased camera hours should “take the form of at least 75% increase of rural sites and the new sites should be selected on the basis of a serious crash history”.

“Mobile speed cameras on Victoria’s rural roads are not as effective as they could be because of poor site selection and the limited number of sites, and the visibility and predictability of their enforcement operations,” he says.

It’s nothing really new the MUARC Professor who has for years has claimed that high-visibility speed cameras are only good for reducing speed at a black spot.

Mobile speed cameras were originally introduced to reduce speed at black spots.

Yet more and more states are removing warning signs of their location.

A 2018 report by Queensland’s auditor-general found only 16.3% of mobile deployment hours was covert because police want to avoid perceptions of revenue-raising.

It recommended that a high percentage of covert deployment would prompt a general deterrence to speeding.

Professor Cameron agreed: ”… if you’re trying to affect speeding all the time then the best idea is to make sure the cameras aren’t predictable or apparent and to operate them covertly,” the professor says. “The idea of being conspicuous is really in the wrong direction.”

Police Covert speed camera
Somewhere in that bush is a cop with a speed camera!

We asked police in every state for their policies on covert speed detection:

Victoria Police say mobile speed cameras are “not deployed in a concealed way”, but didn’t answer questions about handheld devices and cops hiding in bushes.

South Australia Police say they make “no apologies about using covert, camouflaged cameras to detect dangerous road behaviour”.

WA Police basically told us it was none of our business: “We use various tools to assist in our traffic enforcement capabilities.  We will not be providing details of specific tools or methodologies.”

NSW Police say they “use a range of enforcement strategies to assist in reducing road trauma”. But, like the WA cops, they say it’s none of our business.

“For operational reasons it would be inappropriate to discuss the guidelines surrounding these strategies. If riders and drivers observe the speed limits then they have nothing to be concerned about,” they say.

Queensland Police are a little vague, telling us the Queensland Camera Detected Offence Program “utilises an evidence based mixture of covert and marked camera operations”.

Yet the Queensland police website clearly states: “It is not the policy of the Queensland Police Service to deliberately conceal speed cameras.”

They also says made this comment about police using hand-held devices:

“Police officers operating mobile speed cameras from vehicles and police officers with hand-held speed cameras, can position themselves at these sites at any time of day or night, on any day of the year. Police officers can operate mobile speed cameras from marked and unmarked vehicles either in uniform or in plain clothes at approved sites.

A view of the MAXSYM500 from SYM Motors

“Speed enforcement is anywhere, anytime on Queensland roads. Speed Camera operations complement on-road patrols performed by covert and marked police vehicles that includes covert motorcycles.”

The Australian Motorcycle Council does not support speed detection where enforcement is received by the offender weeks later in the post.

“It can have little or no impact on road safety since the detected offence continues without restriction at the time, allowing risky behaviour unabated in most cases,” the AMC told us.

“Marked police presence and immediate enforcement has been proven time and again to be the most effective road safety enforcement, but often has less financial return for the State or Territory Government.

“With the rise in road tolls around the country this year it brings to mind the definition of stupidity: doing the same thing over and over yet expecting a different result.

“It is way past time for road safety authorities to go back to basics and encourage advanced training and the proper teaching of roadcraft to all road users.”

It’s not just motorcyclists who don’t like covert speed detection devices.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers says these “sneaky” devices do not reduce the road toll nor stop motorists from speeding.

“Getting a ticket in the mail up to a month after speeding when you can barely remember even where you were back then, has no effect and is quite rightly cynically viewed as revenue raising,” he said.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Cops drop charges in head-on bike crash

Criminal charges have been dropped against the daughter of renowned Australian neurosurgeon Charlie Teo for driving on the wrong side of the road and crashing head-on into a bike ridden by former Comanchero William “Jock” Ross (pictured) at Wiseman’s Ferry in September 2019.

Police had alleged that Nicola Annabel Teo, 24, was driving her LandCruiser on the wrong side of the road for 200m before the crash with the 72-year-old Harley rider who suffered extensive, head leg and internal injuries and still walks with the aid of a crutch.

Nicola Teo Jock Ross
Nicola with her LandCruiser

Teo had been charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving, not driving on the left hand side of the road and not giving particulars to the police.

However, this week NSW Police prosecutors dropped all charges just before the matter was to be heard in the Downing Centre District Court.

That means Nicole, who pleaded not guilty, will not face any penalties and will retain her licence.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has not offered any reason for the decision to drop the case.

Jock’s injuries forced him to quit his job with the Rural Fire Brigade.

The Glasgow-born former soldier was one of five founders of the Comancheros on the New South Wales Central Coast in 1966 and was ‘supreme commander’ when they were involved in the 1984 Milperra Massacre.

Langen Motorcycles' First Brainchild - The Langen Two-Stroke
Nicola Teo Jock Ross
Nicola with her LandCruiser

Four Comancheros, two Bandidos and a 14-year-old girl died in the infamous shootout.

Jock received gunshot to the head and suffers permanent vision loss and a brain injury.

He was jailed for murder in 1987 over his role in instigating the massacre and was released in 1992 after serving five years.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Bike crash video highlights extreme speed danger

South Australia Police have released a video of a high-speed motorcycle crash in an effort to vindicate tougher new penalties for extreme speed offences.

They say the video was released at the request of the rider’s wife.

“This motorcyclist filmed his own crash – the crash that put him in a coma for two months, gave him a permanent brain injury and put him in full time care for the rest of his life,” SA Police say.

“The man’s wife allowed us to use this video because she wants you to see what happens when you drive or ride at extreme speed.”

South Australia has now introduced laws to Parliament that increase the penalties for extreme speeding.

Extreme speed is defined as driving or riding at 55km/h or more above the limit in a zone marked 60 or less, or 80km/h or more above the speed limit in a zone marked above 60.

The rider in this video reached speeds way in excess of the threshold for “extreme speed”.

Motorists convicted of driving at an extreme speed could be jailed for up to three years and face a mandatory minimum two-year licence disqualification for a first offence.

For a subsequent offence, motorists face up to five years in jail and a mandatory minimum licence disqualification period of five years.

The maximum penalty can also apply in the following circumstances:

Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade Motorcycle
  • The offence was committed while attempting to escape a police pursuit;
  • The offending caused death or serious harm;
  • The vehicle driven was stolen;
  • The offender was driving while disqualified;
  • The offender was on a provisional or probationary licence, a learner’s permit or unlicensed; and
  • The offender was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The car of an offender may also be forfeited to the state.

Police say the rider who ploughed into the back of the ute at about 140km/h survived thanks to a witnesses who called the ambulance and took instructions about how to resuscitate the man.

The rider will now need full-time care for the rest of his life.

“His decision to ride at extreme speed did not just impact him,” police say.

“It impacted the lives of those strangers who kept him alive on the road and forever changed the lives of his family.”

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Teenager interviewed over rider death

A teenager is “assisting police with inquiries” after a rider standing on a Gympie highway ramp was struck by an unknown vehicle and killed on Monday night (10 August 2020).

Queensland Police say the body of the 48-year-old rider was found about 11pm on Monday (10 August 2020)  between the two northbound lanes of the Bruce Highway, 200m south of the Mary Valley Link Road overpass.Teen interviewed over rider death

Police found his Suzuki SV1000S on its side about 100m away.

“Preliminary inquiries indicate the motorcyclist parked on the nearby off-ramp and had been standing while holding his helmet when struck by an unknown vehicle,” police say.

It is believed a utility “may have overtaken the motorcyclist and another vehicle at high speed prior to the incident”.

Police are now interviewing a 19-year-old man about the incident.

“There is no further information at this time and investigations are continuing,” they say.

Forensic Crash Unit investigators are appealing for any witnesses, particularly motorists travelling on the Bruce Highway around the Kybong area between 10pm and 11pm, or anyone who may have relevant dash cam vision to contact police.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.

You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day or call 1800 333 000.

Our sincere condolences to the riders’ family and friends.

Rider injurednsw cops police Horror bike crashes in two states lying seeking dubbo overnight bail negligent SUV young national park fatal knocking unlicensed guilty stolen

In another incident, NSW Police are investigating a serious motorcycle crash that occurred in the Central West about 2pm yesterday (11 August 2020) on Renshaw McGuire Way, about 10km west of Yeoval.

The rider, a 20-year-old female, was transported by Ambulance NSW to Parkes District Hospital where she was later airlifted to Liverpool Hospital. She remains in a critical condition.

Officers from Orana Mid Western Police District established a crime scene, which was examined by specialist forensic police.

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash continue.

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.

Quote this reference number: QP2001680708 within the online suspicious activity form.

Our sincere best wishes to the rider for a full and swift recovery.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Man in court over pillion death

A 43-year-old male driver has been bailed in a Sydney court today over the death of a motorcycle pillion and the injury of the rider in a three-vehicle crash in Moorebank in July 2020.

Yoshiaki Watanabe was charged with:

  • Dangerous driving occasioning death — drive manner dangerous;
  • dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm — drive manner dangerous;
  • negligent driving (occasioning death); and
  • negligent driving (occasions grievous bodily harm).

He appeared in Campbelltown Local Court today where the matter was adjourned to 7 October 2020 when Watanabe will be excused from attending. He was released on conditional bail.

The incident occurred about 10am on Sunday 19 July 2020, on Moorebank Avenue, near Church Road, Moorebank, when two cars and a motorcycle collided.

The motorcycle rider, a 34-year-old man, was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition.

Sadly, his 41-year-old female pillion died at the scene.

The driver of a silver Lexus, a 36-year-old man, and Watanabe, the driver of a red Mazda CX5, were uninjured and taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit officers arrested Watanabe at a unit on Hosking Crescent, Glenfield, about 7.40 that night.

He was taken to Campbelltown Police Station, charged and granted conditional bail.

Investigators are continuing to appeal to motorists who witnessed the crash or who may have dash cam vision to come forward.

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.

Our condolences to the pillion’s family and friends and our best wishes for a full and speedy recovery for the rider.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

The Italians even make their police bikes look tasty

Yamaha FJR1300 AE becomes the new Italian State Police Motorcycle

How good do these Italian State Police motorcycles look, and surprisingly the Polizia Stradale are not astride a fleet of Ducati Multistrada but have plumped for the latest Yamaha FJR1300 AE.

Polizia Stradale Yamaha FJR1300

Apparently when put to the test by officers, they praised the ride comfort and ease of handling even with heavy police equipment installed on the FJR that brings them up to over 300 kg in fully fuelled police trim.

Polizia Stradale Yamaha FJR1300

This attractive livery also adorns the bikes used as escort vehicles for international dignitaries and national events.

Polizia Stradale Yamaha FJR1300

A fleet of 90 FJR1300 AE has been delivered to the Italian National Police and this special order besides being made with the colours and logos of the white and blue institutional livery of the Italian National Police, also includes a specific set-up designed in partnership with INTAV Srl, consisting of:

  • LED flashing beacon mounted on a telescopic pole
  • A pair of front flashing lights with LED technology, integrated in the standard windscreen
  • Sound kit consisting of a pair of neodymium speakers with lowered profile, master and slave, equipped with an electronic module
  • Integrated two-tone siren, emergency / rescue sound
  • Management system with waterproof push-button panel equipped with backlit buttons
Polizia Stradale Yamaha FJR1300
Polizia Stradale Yamaha FJR1300

Source: MCNews.com.au

Driver in court over hitting club riders

A 52-year-old driver who ploughed his Kia Rio head-on into several club riders in Kyogle, northern NSW, killing one and injuring four others last year has face court in Lismore.

Royce McCocker, of Warwick, Queensland, was charged on 26 March 2020 for the accident that occurred on Sunday, 20 October 2019.

He was to have faced Kyogle Local Court on 10 June 2020, but that was moved to 29 July in Lismore Local Court because of COVID-19.

His matter was re-listed in court this week for 26 August 2020.

Club riders

The carnage occurred when six club riders from the Sons Of The Southern Cross SMC were heading south out of Kyogle and the Kia was heading north, allegedly on the wrong side of the road.

One of the club riders, Wes “Pop” Carlton, 55, suffered critical injuries and sadly died at the scene.

Wes "Pop" Carlton club riders
Wes “Pop” Carlton (Image: Facebook)

Another rider, a 56-year-old man, suffered serious injuries and was taken to Lismore Base Hospital before being airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

The other two riders, aged 52 and 53, suffered serious injuries and were taken to Lismore Base Hospital for treatment.

The injured riders were named as “Smiley, Wellsy and Browny”.

Two more riding in the SOTSC group were not hit.

Driver charged

The driver and sole-occupant of the car, a 52-year-old man, was trapped for a short time before being released and taken to Lismore Hospital for treatment and mandatory testing.

Car ploughed into riders
Image: Seven News

Officers from Richmond Police District established a crime scene, which was examined by the Far North Coast Crash Investigations Unit.

Following extensive inquiries, the 52-year-old driver was arrested on 26 March 2020 at his Warwick home.

He was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, three counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, and driver not keep left of centre dividing line.

His licence has been suspended.

Our sincere condolences to the families and friends of all riders killed and our best wishes for a full and speedy recovery for all those injured in these crashes.

Group crashes

Pick-Up crash with US riders accident
North American group riding crash (Image: Associated Press)

Riders are vulnerable road users, but when they are riding in a group they present a bigger target and the results can be carnage.

We have reported on several group crashes in recent months in Australia.

Crash injured accident avoidIn March 2020, two riders and a pillion were injured when two motorcycles collided head-on (pictured above) and in the same week, two riders travelling the same direction collided and one rider crashed and sadly died.

But the most tragic was the crash in North America where an unlicensed pick-up truck driver ploughed into 10 bikes, killing seven riders.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Rider crashes and dies in ditch

A male rider in his 60s crashed his motorcycle into a ditch on a lonely country road north of Mebourne this afternoon and died at the scene.

Victorian Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal motorcycle crash which occurred in Hilldene about 12.25pm.

Investigators believe the motorcycle veered into a ditch at the corner of Seymour-Pyalong and Ash’s Bridge roads after the rider “lost control of the bike”.

Sadly, the rider died at the scene.

Our sincere condolences to the rider’s family and friends.

Anyone who may have seen an orange motorcycle in the area prior to the crash or who may have dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com