Police Ramp Up Motorcycle Safety Efforts After Surge in Rider Fatalities in 2024

 So far, 52 motorcyclists have lost their lives this year, just one short of the 53 fatalities recorded for all of 2023. At this time last year, there had been 35 motorcyclist deaths, and the five-year average for the period is 32.8. This year marks the highest number of motorcycle fatalities between January and September in a decade.

 Tragically, one of these fatalities occurred on September 18th, when a motorcyclist lost their life in a collision on Heaths Road in Hoppers Crossing. The incident has added to the growing concern about motorcycle safety in the region. More details on this incident can be found here.

 Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir described the rise in road trauma involving motorcyclists as “incredibly concerning” and noted that the trend “has shown no sign of slowing down.” He added, “We’re about to enter what has traditionally been the highest risk period for motorcyclist fatalities, and yet with still three months remaining in the year, we’re close to surpassing the total number of motorcyclist deaths for all of 2023.”

 Police are worried that the number of motorcyclist deaths will continue to rise as warmer weather approaches, with October to December traditionally being the most dangerous period for motorcycle accidents. Despite fewer incidents typically occurring during winter, 17 motorcyclists died across June, July, and August this year, compared to eight in the same period last year.

 A recent police analysis revealed that at least 60 per cent of this year’s fatal motorcycle crashes involved multiple vehicles, with most occurring at intersections. The most common factor in crashes where another party was at fault was failing to give way, while excessive speed was the main contributor in crashes where the rider was at fault.

 Assistant Commissioner Weir said that this year has seen an increase in the number of rider deaths from multi-vehicle collisions, with failing to give way by other road users and excessive speed by riders being the “most common contributing factors.”

 More than half of the motorcycle fatalities this year have occurred on roads with speed limits between 70km/h and 110km/h. There have been 30 deaths on metropolitan roads, up from 24 at the same time last year, with half of these occurring in Melbourne’s southeast, including:

– Eight in Casey/Cardinia/Dandenong

– Five in Glen Eira/Kingston

– Two in Frankston

 Rider deaths on regional roads have doubled, with 22 fatalities compared to 10 at the same time last year, including:

– Six in Ballarat/Moorabool

– Four in Bendigo/Campaspe

– Three each in Wodonga/Wangaratta and Benalla

 The most common time for fatal motorcycle crashes is between 12pm and 6pm on weekends, particularly on regional roads, which aligns with recreational riding patterns.

 Riders aged 18-25 accounted for the most fatalities (16), followed by 11 deaths in the 36-45 age group and nine deaths in the 26-35 age group. Over 90 per cent of the deceased riders were male.

 To address the rising toll, police will increase enforcement and prioritise motorcycle safety throughout the month. This aligns with Motorcycle Awareness Month, an annual campaign that promotes safe road-sharing between motorists and motorcyclists, and the focus will continue into November and December.

 Assistant Commissioner Weir stressed that during Motorcycle Awareness Month and beyond, police will focus on rider safety through “education and enforcement,” but also called on all road users to play their part in reducing road trauma. “For motorists, that means watching out for motorcyclists, being present behind the wheel and aware of your surroundings,” he said. “For motorcyclists, it means keeping yourself safe with the right protective gear and avoiding risky riding behaviour like excessive speeding.”

 Several on- and off-road operations will be conducted in high-risk areas across the state, with police monitoring both non-compliant riders and dangerous driver behaviour that endangers motorcyclists. Drivers are being urged to be extra vigilant, especially when changing lanes or at intersections.

 Motorcyclists are being reminded to slow down, ride according to conditions, and always wear protective gear.

 “We’re asking all road users to consider how they can contribute to making our roads safer,” Weir added. “Now is not the time to be complacent – it’s up to all of us to do everything we can to prevent further motorcyclist deaths. Every rider death is one too many.”