ROAD safety authorities are urging Victorians to keep motorcyclist safety front of mind following an alarming increase in the number of motorcyclists killed on the state’s roads.
This week marks the start of Motorcyclist Awareness Month – an annual initiative encouraging both motorists and motorcyclists to share the road.
Now in its third year, the initiative is led by the Motorcycle Community Engagement Panel, in collaboration with the Transport Accident Commission, Victoria Police and the Department of Transport.
So far this year, 52 motorcyclists have died on Victoria’s roads, which is significantly higher than at the same time last year when 35 motorcyclists had died.
New statistics from the TAC show that more than half of motorcyclist deaths this year have involved another vehicle, and almost two-thirds of these deaths have happened at an intersection.
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TAC head of road safety, Samantha Cockfield, said intersections are highly complex environments where drivers, riders, pedestrians and cyclists are often interacting to cross a road; highlighting the need for all road users to remain vigilant and obey all road rules, signals and signs to ensure our roads are safe for everyone.
She said it was devastating to see significant increase in fatal motorcycle crashes and it was a stark reminder of the consequences when something goes wrong.
“Our thoughts go out to all the families and loved ones of people killed by road trauma; the ripple effects of these deaths are far reaching, and we can’t become immune to the increase in lives lost on our roads,” Ms Cockfield said.
“Motorcyclist Awareness Month is an opportunity for us to engage with the Victorian community and educate road users how we can all play a role in keeping each other safe; every road user should feel safe, no matter how they get around.”
Motorcyclists are some of the most vulnerable road users because they have limited protection, making it crucial for drivers to do their part in ensuring the roads are shared safely.
Drivers can help avoid a crash with a motorcyclist by being aware of their surroundings, looking for motorcycles at intersections and always doing a head check before changing lanes.
Motorcyclists should play their part too, by ensuring they wear the correct protective clothing for every ride and choose safe riding behaviours.
A new TAC digital campaign will encourage motorists to think about the person under the helmet and promote the importance of sharing the road safely, while the ‘Only Protected for a Moment’ campaign will remind motorcyclists to wear protective gear for every ride.
