General News
18 October, 2023
Focus is on rider safety
MOTORCYCLIST safety and education will be put under the microscope as part of several new Victoria Police campaigns occuring throughout October. Horsham Highway Patrol Sergeant Dale McIvor said October was Motorcyclist Awareness Month and that, in...
MOTORCYCLIST safety and education will be put under the microscope as part of several new Victoria Police campaigns occuring throughout October.
Horsham Highway Patrol Sergeant Dale McIvor said October was Motorcyclist Awareness Month and that, in conjunction with the Western Region Operation Ride Safe, division four had launched Operation Stay Upright.
The operation is in response to a 23 per cent rise in serious motorcyclist injuries for the period July 2022-June 2023.
"October-April is peak motorcycle riding season due to the warmer conditions," Sergeant McIvor said.
"The 23 per cent rise in serious injuries included 29 in our division alone.
"We aim to have additional motorcycle enforcement, identify the trends and reduce motorcycle trauma.
"Police will be targeting off-road hotspots in local national parks and gathering intelligence on the frequency of dirtbikes in the areas.
Sergeant McIvor said the operation was not designed to lay blame on motorcyclists but to promote safety.
"We want to ensure riders are within their capabilities and are being safe regardless of whether they are on- or off-road," he said.
"Unfortunately, there are more off-road collisions, which we believe may be due to riders being complacent.
"Any motorcyclist intercepted during the operation will be given a safety pamphlet to help promote rider safety."
Sergeant McIvor said the second phase of the operation would involve monitoring riders on highways and in the Grampians National Park.
He said police would like motorcyclists to heed the following when planning a ride:
* Stay within their capabilities, and those of their motorcycle
* Wear appropriate safety gear
* Know the road
* Ride according to the conditions
* Be aware of other motorcyclists, particularly at intersections
* Remain visible