The Queensland Police Service (QPS) conducted a three-day safety blitz on motorcycles recently in view of statistics which showed fatalities in the sector were on track to exceed a five-year high.
The QPS said the blitz saw an increased policing presence in high-traffic areas for recreational riders, with officers focused on engaging with riders about safe road habits.
Assistant Commissioner for the QPS, Ben Marcus said the blitz was intended to protect the most vulnerable road users, who were vastly over-represented in this year’s crash data.
“So far this year 41 motorcyclists, including a pillion passenger, have died on our roads with lives lost being almost 40 per cent higher than the previous five-year average of the same period,” Assistant Commissioner Marcus said.
“Every life lost on our roads has a devastating impact on individuals, families and friends and the community, and as a rider myself, motorcycle crashes hit particularly close to home.”
Assistant Commissioner Marcus said with a spike in motorcycle registrations over the past year, there were more riders out on the roads.
“I know firsthand how enjoyable it is to be out there on the open road, but we want you to do it safely,” he said.
“Our analysis of these crashes is telling us that it’s male recreational riders that are most highly represented (94 per cent).
“The weekends are when we are seeing the most crashes happen (42 per cent) with around 55 per cent of crashes happening at around 60 to 80km/h,” Assistant Commissioner Marcus said.
