Motorists and motorcyclists urged to take care on regional roads
Motorcycle Awareness Week runs from 25th October to 1st November 2009 and, as the warmer spring weather approaches, Leeton Shire Council has issued a warning to local motorcyclists to take care on the roads.
October and November are historically the months when most motorcycle accidents occur in New South Wales (NSW). Over the last five years there have been 567 motorcyclists injured on roads in the SW region of NSW, including 25 fatalities.
“Riders have to take care on our roads, especially when riding in areas they are unfamiliar with,” said Sandra Robinson, Leeton Shire Council Road Safety and Traffic Officer.
“Many people think that motorcycle crashes are the result of cars colliding with motorcycles but 64% of all motorcycle crashes are single vehicle crashes where riders lose control. This could be due to speed, fatigue or not driving to the conditions but it does show that motorcycle riders need to take more care.”
“However, other road users still need to watch out for motorcyclists and understand the ways that the road surface or conditions may affect rider’s stability and safety. Make an extra check at intersections for motorcyclists too.”
“Statistics also show that males account for 90% of crash victims and the age group most at risk is 30-60 years with 54% of crashes in this age range. This is indicative of the resurgence in riding motorcycles in this age group, the ‘born again biker’. Many of these riders may not have ridden a motorcycle since their late teens or twenties and have no recent riding experience before purchasing a high power bike.”
Contact details
Sandra Robinson
Tel: 6953 0931
rso@leeton.nsw.gov.au
