Tag Archives: police

Motorcycle News, News

Two motorcyclists die in NSW crashes

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Two motorcyclists have died in separate accidents in NSW in the past day including one riding on the wrong side of the road and without lights.

NSW Police say that about 2.30am today (Thursday 16 April 2020) an officer from Tuggerah Lakes Police District saw the bike on the wrong side of the Motorway Link.

“The officer directed the rider to stop. However, he continued on to Blue Haven Way, followed by the officer, where there has been a collision involving the two vehicles,” police say.

The rider, who has not been formally identified, died at the scene and the officer has been taken to Wyong Hospital for mandatory testing.

The Crash Investigation Unit has been called to the scene and a critical incident team from Brisbane Water PD will investigate.

Their investigation will be subject to an independent review and information provided to the Coroner.

Second NSW crash

Another motorcyclist has died in a crash at Port Macquarie about 8am yesterday (15 April 2020).

Police say a motorcycle and truck collided at the intersection of Pacific Drive and Bangalay Road, Port Macquarie.

The male motorcyclist died at the scene.

The male truck driver was uninjured and taken to Port Macquarie Base Hospital for mandatory testing.

An investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Anyone with information about 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 riders’ families and friends.

Click here to find out why we report motorcycle crashes.

We sincerely hope the rider who died this morning wasn’t getting his riding fix after frustration with the current travel restrictions.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Pandemic: Lockdown! What lockdown?

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Motorcycle riders around the world are in lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic, but there are many rider — some unlicensed — who are wantonly flouting the restrictions.

These “Covidiots” are giving the rest of us a bad name and when it comes time to start winding back some restrictions, authorities won’t be considering motorcycle riding too kindly.

But they should. After all, riding solo with gloves, a helmet and obvious distancing should be good reasons to derestrict motorcycling.

However, with riders speeding, congregating in groups and performing other stupid acts, we can expect little sympathy or latitude from the authorities.

We have published articles before showing some of the Draconian fines handed out by over-zealous police.

Lockdown lunacy

But there are also many examples of stupid rider behaviour during the lockdown:

  • The top photo shows motorcycle and quad-bike riders racing through the unusually quiet streets of New York;
  • In Manchester, UK, three dirt biker riders ripped up school fields;

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  • In Melbourne, six members of a Motorcycle Club declared to be an “outlaw motorcycle gang” were fined for gathering in cars at Flinders Street;
  • A 48-year-old man tried to mount a fully marked police motorcycle parked on the Great Western Highway on Friday night;
  • A 23-year-old Wodonga was pulled over by police and found to be riding an unregistered and uninsured motorcycle and admitted to crossing the closed state border;
  • A 42-year-old rider on a Triumph Daytona was travelling 180km/h in a 80km/h speed zone on the Warringah Freeway, North Sydney; and
  • A 52-year-old rider travelling 140km/h on the M4 at Eastern Creek led police on a pursuit, ditched the bike and broke into a home’s garage to hide.

These are just a few of the incidents over Easter.

There are many more, but only NSW Police provide details. Police in other states don’t provide all the details, just the number of fines issued.

But what is evident from the NSW Police reports is not just the stupidity of the riders, but the fact that they had no “legitimate” excuse for being away from home.

And in many cases, they are given a warning by the police, but refuse to comply and cop a $1000 fine (more in some other states).

Note that the ACT is not fining people and there are few travel restrictions within WA, SA and NT.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

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Police ok drive to buy commuter bike

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A Coffs Harbour rider has received NSW Police approval to drive 390km to buy a second-hand commuter bike to ride to work.

Elliot Redward currently has a Suzuki GSX650F (pictured) and graduates to his full licence this week so he wanted to buy a Kawasaki ZX-14R for his daily 27km each-way commute.

“I found a bargain of a bike south towards Sydney,” he says.

“I do love the bigger sports bike and this day and age they are cheap.

“The problem is I live almost 400km away.”

Commuter bike

So Elliot did the responsible thing and contacted the NSW Police Commissioner’s office to find out if it was legal to drive that far to buy his desired commuter bike.

However, the brief reply simply referred him to the NSW Health website which says it is legal to travel for work reasons.

Like many of these hastily drafted rules it is unclear and Elliot still wasn’t sure if he could drive 390km to buy the commuter bike.

So he contacted Motorbike Writer for advice.

It seemed like a reasonable travel requirement to us — plus he was shopping, which is also exempt!

So we asked NSW Police media for a clearer verdict.

This is the answer we received:

As you can appreciate there are many different scenarios in relation to COVID-19 restrictions. While we can not answer them all I would suggest in this case to travel to a destination to obtain a motor vehicle for the purpose of travelling to work would be a reasonable cause to travel. If he was pulled over it would be a matter of explaining to the officer the reason for your journey.nsw cops police Horror bike crashes in two states lying seeking dubbo overnight bail negligent SUV young national park fatal knocking unlicensed

Comment

This is a win for Elliot and a win for commonsense.

We don’t pass any judgement on Elliot’s choice for a commuter bike. It’s a free country!

And we also don’t expect everyone will now suddenly hop in their cars to drive hundreds of kilometres to buy a motorcycle for work, just to avoid the travel restrictions.

However, some people have done some dumb things during the current lockdown!

And we have also seen some rather strange fines being imposed by police in Queensland, NSW and Victoria for people.

But this decision is a reasonable and responsible response from NSW Police.

So let’s also act in a reasonable and responsible way.

If you do plan to leave home on your motorcycle, make sure you have a valid reason.

If police pull you over, explain your reason politely and mention that you firmly believe it is valid.

They may still direct you to turn around and go home, which you should do or you are disobeying a police directive and could cop an even bigger fine.

If you do cop an on-the-spot fine for non-compliant travel, you are legally allowed to challenge it, but you should seek legal help.

Since courts are only hearing serious matters during the pandemic, it could be some time before minor matters such as this are brought before the courts.

To avoid an overload of the courts, the police may even waive some of these fines once the travel restrictions are removed.

It’s your decision. Act responsibly.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Unlicensed rider on death charge

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An unlicensed 31-year-old man riding an allegedly stolen trail bike has been charged after a fatal crash with two pedestrians in western NSW on Friday (10 April 2020).

NSW Police say the incident occurred in Creedon Street, Broken Hill, about 8.30pm.

A 34-year-old woman was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics but died at the scene.

A 57-year-old man was taken to Broken Hill Hospital in a serious condition, before he was airlifted to Dubbo Base Hospital with leg and rib injuries.

The trail bike rider, which was not wearing a helmet, was also injured but allegedly attempted to leave the scene and was held by witnesses until police arrived.

He was taken to Broken Hill Hospital under police guard for treatment and mandatory testing.

Officers from Barrier Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Following inquiries, the rider was charged – while in police custody at hospital – with aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death, aggravated dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, take and drive conveyance, expired licence, motorbike rider not wear a helmet, and not give particulars to police.

Police will allege in court the man stole the trail bike earlier that day from a house in Broken Hill and was riding it at a speed above the sign posted 50km/h zone when he hit the pedestrians.

He was refused bail to appear before Dubbo Local Court via AVL today (Sunday 12 April 2020).

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

Our sincere condolences to the family and fiends of the woman who died and out best wishes to the other pedestrian for a full and swift recovery.

Unlicensed riding

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries believes that unlicensed riding has increased because it is too difficult and expensive to get a licence these days.

In the same decade that licensing has become tougher, the proportion of unlicensed riders has almost doubled, according to a Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) report.

Check out the articles below that we have published in recent years on this trend of unlicensed riding.

The growth of unlicensed riding crashes should concern all road goers, as well as pedestrians.

It not only creates danger on our roads, but their crash statistics skew the toll which creates a worse impression of riding.

Unfortunately, governments grab these crash stats and use them to impose tougher restrictions on all riders.

MUARC says 7% of all motorcycle crashes involve riders without a valid motorcycle licence.

Take those numbers out of the motorcycle crash statistics and they would be more realistic.

Unlicensed riders also tend to have 25% more serious injury crashes than licensed riders, MUARC says.

That’s probably because they tend to ride older motorcycles that don’t have modern and safer brakes and handling characteristics.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Lawn Way Round in the pandemic

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We’ve been inspired to do our own own Long Way Round (my front lawn) video and we encourage you to do one, too, during the current pandemic lockdown.

Of course, the inspiration for our Lawn Way Round video comes from Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor’s 2004 Long Way Round adventure.

It has inspired many copycat adventurers and spawned their Long Way series which included Long Way Down and the recent Long Way Up on electric Harleys.

Charley and Ewan McGregorCharley and Ewan on electric Harleys

Now its has inspired former Top Gear host and motorcycle fan Richard Hammond to do a hilarious Long Way Round his yard on a 1929 BMW R 52.

Lawn Way Round

So I thought I would give it a go at home on my Ducati Scrambler 1100 Sport.

Only problem is, I live on a small suburban lot and it’s damned hard to get around the side of the house, so we stuck to the front lawn.

In a way, it’s an off-road adventure!Lawn Way Round

No problems with over-zealous police slapping me with a fine.

I also made sure I wore ATGATT!

And it was a great opportunity to give a free plug to the Brisbane designed, engineered and manufactured Dynamoto stands.

Just the thing if you are hibernating your bike for a long spell during the travel restrictions.

(Note that we get no kickbacks from any sales. It’s just an amazing Aussie product!)

Now it’s up to you to have a go riding around your yard.

If you do, please send us the video and we’ll add it to this article.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Pointless double demerit points for Easter

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With riders grounded in most states by the travel restrictions it almost seems pointless that some states have double demerits applying over the Easter long weekend.

The “pointless points” start this morning and will end at midnight on Monday 13 April 2020 in NSW, the ACT and Western Australia.

In NSW, they’re calling it Operation Tortoise and point out that holiday travel is not allowed as it is not “essential” during the pandemic lockdown.

Click here for more details on exceptions to the ban.

Pointless points?

The only time you could be fined on your motorcycle in NSW this Easter is if you are speeding to the supermarket to get another bag of Doritos or in your rush to get the doctor!

Be aware that one high-range speeding offence could be enough to get your licence suspended for several months under double demerit points.

Note that double demerit points are separate to any on-the-spot fines for disobeying a stay-at-home directive.

Double demerits danger

In “normal times”, 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.

With borders now closed, that’s not possible anyway.

Police cops speed speeding sensation annual demerit

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

Motorcycle News, News

How rona riders may self-incriminate

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With riders facing hefty fines for breaking the coronavirus Home Confinement Direction, some have suggested rona riders should reserve their rights to silence when pulled over by police.

While exercising your right to silence is usually a good idea, it might not be of much assistance here, says Brisbane lawyer Andrew Evans.

Under the law, police have the power to ask you basic questions and you’re breaking the law if you refuse to answer.

Those basic questions are: 

  • Your name and address; 
  • Date and place of your birth (in drug matters); 
  • Other questions regarding broken traffic laws or whether you’ve seen an accident; and
  • Other questions police can ask under special laws.

“So if you refuse to say where you are going, the police cannot prove you have committed an offence,” suggests one reader.

Unfortunately where you are going is not an element of the offence; it’s leaving your place of residence and if they have found you out riding then they can make out that element regardless of what you do or don’t say.

Click here to complete our three-minute survey on attitudes to the pandemic!

Standard practiceCops police speed speeding extended

Andrew says standard legal advice is to exercise your right to silence “because they will use anything you say against you”. 

For instance, if you get pulled over speeding there is a standard series of questions police ask:

  • Do you have a reason for speeding?
  • Do you know why I pulled you up?
  • Did you know you were speeding”

“All of them are intended to illicit a response that indicates guilt so you are always better off saying nothing,” he says. 

“This is because ordinarily when you go to court it is up to the police to prove your guilt not for you to prove you are innocent.  

“If you get caught speeding and you stay silent, go to court and there is an issue with the evidence so you get the radar evidence thrown out they then have nothing.  

“If you don’t to give any evidence, their case fails, but if you made an admission at the time of the offence that can come back to bite you.”

Rona riders

However, rona riders should be aware the current situation under the Home Confinement Direction is “a bit different”, Andrew says. 

“It makes it unlawful to leave your residence unless you meet the criteria for leaving set out in the direction,” he says.

“So if a police officer asks why you are out and you refuse to answer you are almost guaranteed to get fined because he or she will assume you have no reasonably necessary reason to leave.

“That doesn’t mean you are compelled to answer. You can refuse. But it probably increases the risk of getting a fine rather than a caution.

“So if you have a justifiable reason, like going to the shops or going to work, you should tell them as it will most likely save you having to deal with it at court later.

“If you don’t have a reason then you might be better off exercising your right to not answer and then take legal advice about any fine they issue.”

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

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Can you fight a pandemic non-compliance fine?

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With states fining people thousands of dollars for non-compliance with pandemic travel restrictions, riders are understandably concerned about copping a fine for going on even a short ride.

Police have said officers will use their “judgement” and all fines will be assessed.

Queensland State Disaster Coordinator Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski explains how they will approach the issue:

Where police will take action is if there are blatant or wilful breaches happening in the community.

It will then be up to riders to challenge the fine in court.

In this new “police state” of ours, riders could be fined for a short ride around their neighbourhood to “clear the cobwebs”, get a bit of sunshine and some light exercise, even  if they stay within all health guidelines and social distancing measures.

Pandemic ride responsibly

Non-compliance fines

At the moment there is a bunch of rules, suggestions and directives from health departments, politicians and police.

They don’t match and they vary from state to state. They are so confusing! (Click here to take our rider survey on pandemic restriction rules.)

What’s the difference and which do we obey?

In the end, it’s the police who issue the fines.

Police have reasserted that ignorance is never a defence, but surely it is in this case of hastily drafted rules that change so quickly and are contradictory.

So we asked Brisbane barrister and motorcyclist Levente Jurth for his opinion.

“Your questions are understandable, but you’ve asked for answers to hundreds, if not thousands, of variables, many of which continue to change on a daily basis,” he says.

“Obviously, I can’t respond to that.

“As a broad overview, I think the position is this: if someone is obviously doing the wrong thing and is being deliberately disobedient, then they will be punished if they get caught.

“On the other hand, anyone who is conscientiously trying to do the right thing and is doing their best to act in compliance with the applicable directives will likely be treated with some flexibility (eg. a warning), even if they have technically contravened a specific rule.”

If the matter does go to court, it could be some time until it is heard as courts are effectively closed for all but serious matters during the pandemic.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Police video catches speeding night rider

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Queensland Police have charged a man with dangerous operation of a motorcycle after the night rider was videoed riding at more than three times the limit earlier this week.

They have now released the Polair video of the incident in north Brisbane which shows the bike going through a fast foot outlet and speeding through streets on Tuesday night (31 March 2020).

Officers seized the 34-year-old Narangba man’s motorcycle for 90-days.

Night rider

Police will allege around 9pm officers were patrolling Anzac Avenue in Kallangur when they were overtaken by a motorbike travelling at high speed.

It is alleged the night rider turned into the drive thru of a fast food outlet where he bent the number plate, so it was not visible, before riding off.

Police attempted to intercept the motorcycle however the rider failed to stop, “speeding off with the front wheel rising into the air”.

In other words, a wheelie.

The officers last saw him riding west along Anzac Avenue.

The motorcycle is alleged to have sped past another police vehicle on the same road which detected it travelling at 191km/h in a 60 zone.

The motorcycle was tracked by Polair1 with police intercepting it in Thomas Street, Narangba a short time later.

The male rider returned a positive roadside drug test and was conveyed to North Lakes Police Station where he was issued with a notice to appear in the Petrie Magistrates Court on July 6 for evade police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and drug driving.

If you have information for police, 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.

Quote this reference number: QP2000651109

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

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Mandatory testing for four after rider dies

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Four drivers have been taken for mandatory testing after a motorcycle rider died in a truck collision on the M4 at Clyde today (2 April 2020).

NSW Police say the rider, aged 55, died at the scene.

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

The accident happened just before 1pm on the M4 near the James Ruse Drive turnoff.

“It is believed the motorcycle rider was avoiding a broken-down utility that was involved in an earlier collision with another car, when it collided with a semitrailer,” police say.

Four drivers have been taken to Westmead Hospital for testing which is mandatory in these cases.

Officers from Cumberland Police Area Command established a crime scene and inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash continue

A report will be prepared for the information of 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.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com