Motorcycle fatalities spike sees police ramp up operations

POLICE are prioritising motorcycle safety this month following a worrying rise in rider fatalities in 2024. There have been 52 motorcyclist fatalities - including three in the Wangaratta/Wodonga/Benalla regions - so far this year, just one shy of the total 53 rider fatalities for all of 2023. At the same time last year there were 35 rider motorcyclist deaths while the five-year average for the period is 32.8. It’s the highest number of motorcycle fatalities recorded between January and September in 10 years. Police are concerned motorcyclist deaths will continue to climb as the warmer weather approaches. October to December is traditionally considered the highest risk period for motorcycle trauma. Road Policing Assistant Commissioner, Glenn Weir, said police are ramping up enforcement and will further prioritise motorcycle safety over these next three months, with a focus on non-compliant riders, as well as drivers who engage in dangerous driving behaviour that puts motorcyclists at risk. He said motorists are being encouraged to be extra vigilant and on the lookout for motorcyclists, particularly when changing lanes or when required to give way. "We are urging motorcyclists to slow down, ride to the conditions and always wear appropriate protective riding gear," Ass Com Weir said. Recent police analysis of this year’s motorcycle fatalities found at least 60 per cent of fatal rider collisions were multi-vehicle collisions, with the majority occurring at intersections. Failing to give way was cited as the most common factor in fatal rider collisions where the other party was at fault, while excessive speed has been identified as the major contributing factor where the rider was at fault. More than half of this year’s motorcycle fatalities occurred on roads with a posted speed limit between 70km/h and 110km/h. Rider deaths have doubled on the state’s regional roads, with 22 fatalities compared with 10 at the same time last year. Weekends between 12pm and 6pm is the most common time for fatal motorcycle collisions, particularly on regional roads which correlates with recreational riding activity. Riders aged 18–25 represented the highest number of fatalities to date (16), followed by 11 deaths in the 36–45 age group and nine deaths among those aged 26–35. More than 90 per cent of the deceased riders were male.