Tag Archives: crash

News

Unrealistic road toll targets prompt knee-jerks

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Ambitious road toll targets, such as the improbable Vision Zero campaign, create unrealistic expectations that only serve to goad politicians into knee-jerk responses.

They usually consist of lower speed limits and crackdowns on motorcyclists who are over-over-represented in the statistics.

So it comes as no surprise that Australia is not on target to meet its ambitious National Road Safety Strategy road toll objective, agreed to by all state and territory governments in 2011.

AAA targets governments

The Australian Automobile Association is now putting pressure on state and federal governments to comply with 12 recommendations made in an independent inquiry into the NRSS.

They include a special federal Cabinet position for road safety, relevant bureaucratic support, government recognition of road safety and a $3 billion-a-year road safety fund.

All commendable recommendations.

However, they also ridiculously advocate Vision Zero targets by 2050.

Rider concerns

Among the 12 recommendations are two insidious references to issues that should send a shiver down the spine of many motorists, in particular motorcyclists.

One is to “implement rapid deployment and accelerated uptake of proven vehicle safety technologies and innovation”.

This could mean mandating technologies such as automatic emergency brakes in motorcycles.

It’s already being mandated in cars, so why not? After all, we already have mandatory ABS.Honda first with emergency braking

Honda and Continental AG are already working on motorcycle-based emergency brakes.

The other insidious recommendation is to “accelerate the adoption of speed management initiatives that support harm elimination”.

In other words, lower speed limits!

Recently, UNSW Sydney Professor Raphael Grzebieta was honoured with an international road safety award for his work which recognises his research into the reduction of speed limits on highways, suburban and high pedestrian active streets.

He recommends 80km/h on some highways and 30km/h in CBD streets.

Together with the AAA’s recommendation, this could be the impetus governments need to drop speeds.

Crash data

The inquiry into the NRSS does not recommend better crash data which is still largely in the hands of untrained police, rather than specific crash investigators.

Motorcycle Council of NSW (MCCNSW) chairman Steve Pearce says proper crash investigation would reveal the real causes of motorcycle crashes and help prevent further accidents and deaths.

A 2012 Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry documented the lack of reliable crash data and recommended a road crash data authority be set up independent of VicPol/VicRoads/TAC.

Motorcycle Riders Association of Victoria spokesman Damien Codognotto says that “while we base road trauma countermeasures on unreliable, inadequate crash data we will get unreliable, inadequate countermeasures”.

Crash data for motorcyclists is not as bad as many police and the mainstream media would have us believe.

The AAA’s inquiry found there were 191 motorcyclist deaths on Australian roads over the past 12 months compared with 242 the previous year which is a decrease of 21.1%.

Meanwhile, cyclist fatalities increased 80%.Cyclist video shows ‘safety in numbers’ bicycle

So rather than a crackdown on motorcyclists, let’s have a crackdown on riders who flout road rules.

And maybe the Tasmanian Motorcycle Council’s call for free identification numbers, not registration, for cyclists over 18 so they don’t escape fines is not so silly, after all.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

Motorbike Response Crew keep traffic moving

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Motorcycles may soon be coming to the rescue of crash victims and broken-down vehicles on tollways around Australia to keep traffic moving.

It follows the Australian-first trial of a motorbike response crew on the Logan and Gateway motorways in Brisbane.

The trial is being run by Queensland tollway company Linkt, which is owned by Transurban that also operates CityLink in Melbourne and six tollways in Sydney.

Trial results

Trial results are expected in mid-2019. If it is deemed a success, it may be expanded to other cities.

“As part of an Australian-first trial, experienced motorbike responders will get to breakdowns and incidents sooner, providing much needed assistance to affected motorists during periods of high congestion, and helping to keep traffic moving,” Linkt says.

What makes motorcycles quicker to respond is their ability to legally filter through slow or stationary traffic.

So motorists will have another reason to be grateful for more motorcycles on our roads!

Motorcycle paramedics have been used in other states before, but this is the first by a private tollway company.

Linkt say their motorbike response crews are first-aid trained and equipped with “fuel, water, jump kits, and more”.

traffic
Logan Motorway

Trial crew

Incident Response Supervisor Paul Hillman, who is an ex-paramedic and part of the motorcycle trial, says the crew have more than 20 years’ motorcycle experience.

“To ensure their safety, motorcycles will only be deployed during daylight hours, during peak times and when incidents result in congestion,” he says.

“Breaking down on the motorway can be a very scary experience for people, so when we arrive on the scene to provide assistance, they are very grateful.”

Linkt say they respond to about 1000 traffic incidents each month across Transurban’s roads in Brisbane, including breakdowns, out-of-fuel and debris clean-up.

“Research has shown that the rate of crashes on Brisbane’s toll roads is 53% lower than on similar roads,” they say.

Keeping traffic moving

Transurban Queensland General Manager Operations David McLoughlin says their incident response fleet is the largest in Australia with four trucks fitted with crash cushions, two tow trucks and four utes.

“Since 2017, our average incident response times on these motorways has reduced to just over eight minutes and we expect this trial will result in further benefits for motorists,” he says.

“To ensure the highest safety standards are met throughout the trial, we have been collaborating closely with Queensland Police, who currently use motorcycles as part of their own fleet.”

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

Perth rider killed after police pursuit

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A 24-year-old Perth rider has died after a woman who had been involved in a police pursuit crashed into him early Thursday morning on the wrong side of the road.

Jordan Thorsager was riding his Kawasaki on the Leach highway just after midnight when he was hit head-on by the driver.

Police say they were not pursuing the woman at the time of the crash, but confirm they had been chasing her “on and off” over the previous hour. She was wanted on an arrest warrant.

Western Australia Police Major Crash investigators and police Internal Affairs officers are investigating the pursuit and are calling for witnesses.

Surprisingly, his family is willing to forgive the driver and does not question police conduct.

police pursuit
(Image: Channel 9 News, Perth)

Police may not have been pursuing the woman at the time of the crash, but did their pursuit over the previous hour affect the driving behaviour of the woman?

A 24-year-old man is now dead after police pursued a woman wanted on an arrest warrant for matters not made public. Does that seem like a fair outcome from a pursuit?

Police pursuit

The 2009 Australian Institute of Criminology study found the three most pressing issues for police reform around the world are use of force, policing of violence in families and high-speed pursuits.

It also found deaths in custody at police stations are declining but “deaths in custody” as a result of high-speed pursuits were rising.

While less than 1% of police pursuits results in a fatal crash, 38% of the people killed are innocent bystanders.

It’s much worse in the USA where one person dies every day as a result of a police pursuit. Of those deaths, 1% are police, 55% suspects and 44% bystanders.

Most police procedures acknowledge the judgement of the officer at the scene to begin a pursuit.

However, continuation of the pursuit is then deferred to a senior officer at the station or headquarters.

They have to make a quick judgement based on the lethal risk to the community of the chase versus the lethal risk to the community of letting a serious offender escape.

This must be backed by information, not just mere suspicion.

Queensland police figures show only about 3% of pursuits involved imminent threat to life or a suspect escaping after a homicide.

Police have a duty to not only prevent and control crime, but more importantly, they have a duty to protect the community and that includes from their own reckless behaviour and judgement.

Click her to read about a police and media pursuit that encouraged a motorcycle rider to perform stunts for the cameras.

Police pursuit pursuits
TV chopper captures pursued rider performing stunts

Restrictive practices

Despite criticism from police unions, most pursuit policies around the world, including the USA, are becoming more restrictive.

In many jurisdictions, pursuits are only allowed if there is a serious risk to public safety or in relation to a major crime involving death or injury.

However, there is an issue about making these pursuit policies public. Some say they should be public to show transparency while others believe it would give criminals clues on how to evade police.

Those who support pursuits point out that the number of people evading police is rising as a result of more restrictive pursuit policies, despite higher penalties for evading police.

Making the issue more complex is the degree of the pursuit.

Should there be an upper speed limit for police? Should police be allowed to break other road rules in the pursuit?

There have been incidences of police driving at more than 200km/h in a pursuit and on the road side of a major highway.

Another issue is whether police should be criminally culpable in the instance of a death resulting from a pursuit.

To a degree, technologies such as CTV and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) devices, negate the need for pursuits.

VicPol gets number plate recognition police pursuit
Number plate recognition device on the roof of a patrol car

WA police have ANPR, but it is not known whether it was available in the pursuit patrol vehicle.

In some cases, APNR may actually trigger a police pursuit.

* What do you think about police pursuits? Leave your comments below.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

Airbag suit to ‘save millions’ of riders

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A patent is pending for a motorcycle seat that ejects a rider in a crash and then cocoons them in a full-length airbag suit to protect them from injury.

Brooklyn start-up Airbag for Bike has posted a digital animation of the patent-pending device, claiming it could save “millions from serious accidents and death”.

They also say it would allow “millions of new riders previously hesitant to sit on a motorcycle because of safety, to enjoy motorcycling”.

However, we’re not even sure a working prototype has been made or even tested. So far there is only this animated video for a patent drawing that is yet to be approved!

How the airbag suit works

Unlike the Honda Goldwing airbag that inflates a bean-bag-sized pillow in front of the rider, this airbag suit system is in the seat which the rider straps themselves into with a special seatbelt.

Click here for details on the mandatory recall on the Goldwing over its Takata airbag.

The idea is that the seat ejects with the rider and then deploys several full-length airbags around the rider. 

We reckon this photo of the airbag as it starts to inflate is simply rude!

Airbag suitAnd we’re not so sure we would like the explosive device that deploys the airbag this close to the family jewels!

We thought it would be hilarious if the airbags went off when you parked and got off your bike, but the patent says the airbag deploys only if the motorcycle is traveling at a certain speed.

It has various motion sensors and gyroscopes that detect a sudden deceleration or acceleration if hit from behind, or “a loss of balance that would not be correctable by a human”.

Also, the belt system “automatically unfastens in a crash that is not severe enough to warrant a system deployment (to allow the rider to jump off the bike) or if the rider tries to stand up from the bike while it is stopped”.

So it wouldn’t be of any use in racing like the airbag race suits by Dainese and Alpinestars as the belt would come undone on the first corner when the rider slipped out of the seat to get their knee down!

airbag suit
Alpinestars airbag vest

The belt would also unfasten if you stood up when riding across rough or loose surfaces.

Airbag for Bike

We contacted Airbag for Bike for more details about the inventor and whether they have made a prototype yet and intend to produce the airbags or just sell the idea.

No reply yet, but stay tuned for updates.

The problem with these sorts of inventions is that some road safety expert will agree it will reduce deaths and injuries.

Then politicians will make it mandatory!

Experts like UNSW Sydney Professor Raphael Grzebieta who won an international award for advocating wire rope barriers, lower speed limits and mandatory hi-vis vests for riders, and alcohol interlocks and electronic rider aids on bikes.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

Fear of liability may prevent first aid for crashed riders

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Crash witnesses are sometimes too scared of being sued to provide first-aid or assistance to crashed riders, says paramedic Michael Beak of First Bike on the Scene Australia.

“There is a lot of misinformation about the legalities of helping a crash victim on social media,” he says.

“I put in a lot of effort to reassure people during my courses that the chances of being sued is virtually zero.”

Click here for more information on this legal issue.

First Bike on the SceneFirst Bike on the Scene Australia paramedic Michael Beak crashed

The First Bike on Scene course was originally developed by Paramedics working in the North West Ambulance Service (UK) in 2003/4. 

“Due to the nature of their work and being bikers themselves, they realised the need for a medical emergency care course appropriate to the needs of injured motorcyclists,” Michael says.

He is now offering the course in Australia and is looking for like-minded paramedics to join him.

“What’s different about First Bike on Scene is that emergency response skills are delivered by registered operational paramedics only,” he says.

“So students are taught skills that are evidence-based medicine, world’s best practice and comply with Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) Guidelines.

“Paramedics are the experts in pre-hospital emergency care. It’s what they train for, it’s what they do for the duration of their operational career.”

Paramedic background

Michael is a Mt Tamborine resident, Army Reserve medic of 10 years, Honda FVR750 rider and operational paramedic for 25 years.

He has been teaching first-aid for almost 30 years and started a first-aid training business (www.surefirefirstaid.com.au) eight years ago.

“Unfortunately, I have attended my fair share of motorcycle-related incidents,” he says.

Michael raced 250cc production and historic motorbikes in the late 1980s when he was a teenager and worked in Phil Beaumont’s motorcycle shop in Newstead, Brisbane.

“I was like a kid in a candy shop,” he says.

“I’ve crashed and broken a lot of bones in my years of riding, but when I broke my collar bone five years ago at walking pace on my Honda XR250 at a motocross park I was off work for 10 weeks and decided I needed a back-up plan.

“That’s when I decided to launch my own first-aid training centre and First Bike on the Scene is one of my specialty divisions.”

He says the courses are open to all riders and cost from $85 for the stand-alone course up to more advanced courses.

They will be launched in South East Queensland with the intention of spreading around the nation as registered paramedics are recruited.

The FBoS introductory course includes crash scene management, airway management, injury assessment, head and neck (c-spine) injury management, bleeding control, recognition of catastrophic bleeding, safe helmet removal in special circumstances, log roll and trauma CPR.

First responder tips for crashed riders

Road safety crash accident motorcycle scam crashed

Michael says the most important feature of a first-care provider is that they take charge at a crash scene. 

“Even if it’s ‘fake it until you make it’, you have to convince everyone present that you know what you are doing, be confident and, if necessary, even assertive. Then people are happy to follow,” he says.

“The other important thing is that they think about the danger of other traffic. 

“There have been untold times I’ve been at a crash and you suddenly hear the locking up of brakes.

“A couple of times people have even skidded into emergency trucks. It’s like a moth to a light when they see the flashing lights. You go where you look.”

Q&A

Michael has offered to write about some hot topics involving crash scene management and crashed rider first-aid. 

If you have any questions about how to manage a crash scene or help a crashed rider, please leave your query in the comments section below and he will respond.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

Witnesses sought for two rider fatalities

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It’s been a horror start to the year for motorcycle fatalities in Victoria with 12 riders now dead after two more crashes today(Sunday, February 10, 2019).

Latrobe Highway Patrol officers are appealing for a witness to come forward after a fatal motorcycle collision in Mirboo North this morning.

Police are also investigating a motorcycle crash that claimed the life of a man in Buckland this afternoon.

First fatality

In the first incident, police believed a motorcycle was travelling north-east on the Strzelecki Highway when it collided with the rear of a red Mitsubishi sedan waiting to turn into Darlimurla Road about 10.50am.

The driver of the Mitsubishi was not injured and stopped to assist at the scene.

It is believed the motorcycle then collided with a white Toyota 4WD which was travelling in the opposite direction.

The female driver and her male passenger were not injured and also assisted at the scene.

The male rider, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision and are hoping to speak to a man who stopped at the scene and was driving a white 4WD northbound on Strzelecki Highway.

The Strzelecki Highway was expected to remain closed between Mirboo North and Thorpdale for some time.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or who has dash cam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Second fatality

In the second of the rider fatalities, police say the motorcycle was travelling along Buckland Valley Road when the rider left the road and crashed into an embankment about 1pm.

The rider, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene.

Anyone with dash-cam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased riders.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

Steps You Should Take If You Get into A Motorcycle Accident

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(Article contributed by West Coast Trial Lawyers, LA)

One of the best experiences that a person could possibly have is riding on a motorcycle. It offers a sense of freedom and mobility that can’t quite be matched by any other type of vehicle. Think about it, unlike with a car or a train, there isn’t really anything that’s separating you and the outside world. Motorcycles also have the advantage of being able to reach thrilling high speeds unlike other modes of transportation such as bicycles and mopeds. 

Yes, motorcycles can offer you a world of excitement, but the one thing that they have in common with other types of vehicles is that accidents do happen. As with any driver, an accident can be a terrifying and stressful situation that no one really wants to deal with. As with any kind of adverse situation, however, it is important that you know how to handle yourself if you are ever in an accident. 

Get to Safety

In the immediate aftermath of the accident, the first order of business should not be to call a motorcycle injury lawyer or accident attorney but to get yourself out the roadway and traffic so that no further harm will come to you. The most important thing at this moment is to make sure that your situation doesn’t become any worse by risking even more injury than what has probably already occurred. You can handle all of the legal matters once you’re safe and have handled everything at the scene.

Things to look out for as you are moving to safety are gas leaking vehicles, cars or other objects on fire, anything that has been damaged during the accident, and roadside drop-offs and cliffs.

Check to See If You or Anyone Else Has Been Injured

Next, you should check to see if you or the other involved party has been injured. Even if it appears that you and everyone else is fine, you should still call 911 and have them look you over anyway as certain injuries may not make themselves apparent at that moment. It is crucial that you keep in mind that just because you were the one who called the paramedics that you will not automatically be held responsible. 

Call the Local Law Enforcement to Report the Accident

This step can be considered optional in the sense that sometimes the police aren’t immediately contacted in the case of accidents (motorcycle or otherwise). Even if any issues that arise are minimal (such as minor injury and very little property damage) the police may be needed to take down details of what happened and to help decide if a motorcycle accident attorney should be contacted immediately.

Gather Information

Once you have contacted the police, they will proceed to write their police report and will be used as documentation to provide details for your case. To further ensure that you are able to properly prove your innocence in this matter and secure any potential compensation, you should gather information. This gathering of evidence should include you doing the following:

  • Speak to anyone who may have witnessed the accident which can include passengers and other drivers. Be sure to also talk to the attending law enforcement official
  • Photos of the scene (which should only be done if there is no further risk of you being injured or causing any further damage to property. Make sure that you take pictures of any surrounding street signs as well)
  • Contact information, which can be names, phone numbers or even email addresses of all witnesses
  • The VIN (vehicle identification number) of any cars that were involved
  • The badge number and name of the police officer at the scene
  • The number of the police report
  •  The name insurance company name and their contact information from all other parties involved

Gathering all of this information will really help you out in the long run when it comes time to contact your insurance provider or when speaking to a motorcycle personal injury attorney as you will be able to provide them with information to help you with your case.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Once you are able to find the time after the accident, you should contact your insurance company and tell them what happened. As stated previously, all of the information that you have collected will help your insurance provider help you to collect your compensation. 

Make sure that you have had any injuries that you may have sustained looked over by a doctor and that a mechanic has checked out your motorcycle before letting your insurer know about these issues. That way, you don’t run the risk of underestimating any compensation that you may be able to receive. 

Do Not Take Any Blame On Yourself

Under no circumstances should you claim responsibility for what happened. You should follow this advice regardless of whether you’re speaking to any law enforcement official or your insurance company. This is to avoid your claim being denied and to keep away blame for anything that wasn’t your fault.

Keep your statements limited to what happened and if you have a motorcycle accident attorney helping you-you can ask them for further assistance with handling your case.

Contact An Attorney

Up until this point, You’ve only received small nudges from this article in regards to calling a motorcycle injury lawyer. In all honesty, it really is to your benefit to contact one to secure your financial and legal future in the aftermath of the accident.

A motorcycle accident attorney will be able to assist you if you have any of the other parties involved decide to wrongly accuse you of causing the accident. If any medical complications arise that you can’t afford, you can look into a motorcycle personal injury attorney.

Do As Your Doctor Says

The final thing that you should do (if you have been injured in your accident, that is) is to follow your doctor’s directions to the letter. Not only will this help you quickly heal from your injuries but it will lessen the number of permanent damages on your body. Be sure that you follow his directions to the letter and always follow up on their instructions.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

Why don’t medics rush to crashed riders?

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If you’ve ever been a witness at a motorcycle crash scene you may have noticed that medics (ambulance officers and paramedics) do not seem to be in any rush.

I was at the scene of a crash on Abercrombie Rd near Obern, NSW, and several riders were anxious and expressed concern because the first responders did not seem to be in any hurry.

Some other riders have also complained that nurses and hospital staff are sometimes flippant about injured riders who “drain their resources”. Read about the concerns of a safety expert.

It’s not because medics believe all motorcyclists have a death wish and don’t deserve immediate attention.

There are several very good reasons for the calm and almost painstakingly slow attitude of first responders at a crash scene.

Most American cop shows depict medics rushing to a crash scene, but that is not how it is in real life.Ambulance ride paramedic crash accident medics

Why medics don’t rush:

  • A rushing paramedic could trip and hurt themselves and/or break vital medical equipment;
  • It can lead to making the wrong decision in a highly stressful situation;
  • The sight of a rushing medic can create panic not only in the crash victims, but also bystanders;
  • It can cause the victim’s pulse to beat faster, expelling more blood than is necessary and leading to other conditions such as heart attack; and
  • It can cause bystanders to make rash decisions such as stepping out in front of passing traffic.

If you are ever at a motorcycle accident scene, the best advice is to stay clam, keep others calm and let the professionals do their job.

Click here to find out what you should do after a minor motorcycle crash.

Road safety crash accident motorcycle scam

First Bike on the Scene

Michael Beak from First Bike on the Scene crash scene training says he believes that if he rushes at a crash scene “people could think things are a lot worse than they may be” .

“One of our first priorities is to bring calm to chaos,” he says.

“Some of my more experienced colleagues and I even like to crack jokes with patients (where appropriate of course) and some think we are not talking it seriously,” he says.

“But personally if I were a patient and the para was cracking jokes with me it would reassure me I’m not about to die.”First Bike on the Scene Australia paramedic Michael Beak

Michael is an Army Reserve Combat Paramedic of 10 years, operational paramedic for 25 years, has been teaching first aid for almost 30 years and is a Public Information Officer with the Rural Fire Service. He’s also a VFR750F rider!

“My advice to any first-care provider is to be slow and methodical,” he says.

“I apply the old saying ‘slow is smooth and smooth is fast’. It works for riding motorcycles and it works for attending a crash scene.”

Michael says it is a common misbelief that paramedics attend traumatic cases every shift.

“So sometimes when they arrive on scene and appear to be slow off the mark, they may be just taking a breath, having a ‘mental cigarette’, taking in the scene and working out the best plan of attack before just blundering in,” he says.

“To the observer, it may appear that we are not rushing to crashed riders, but we are doing a rapid scene size-up on arrival.”

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

Radio jock calls for rider ban on highway

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A radio jock has called for a motorcycle ban on Melbourne’s Monash Freeway after a fatality that police have already blamed on the rider, even before any crash investigation.

The accident happened about 8am today (February 6, 2019) near the Blackburn Road on-ramp.radio jock calls fr rider ban on highway

Media reports already claim the rider was “lane splitting at speed”, hit a couple of cars and ended up under the wheels of a truck. The as-yet unnamed rider tragically died at the scene.

Click here for more on filtering near trucks.

Shock jock

radio jock calls fr rider ban on highway
Neil Mitchell

Police claim it is one of nine out of the 10 motorcycle fatalities so far this year due to rider error.

3AW radio announcer Neil Mitchell subsequently called for a motorcycle ban on the busy section.

The Motorcycle Riders Association of Victoria immediately called on police to stop giving opinions on road crashes to the media before a proper crash investigation and on Mitchell to “stop vilifying riders”.

“Police at bike crash sites often give opinions on causes to the media,” says MRA Victoria spokesman Damien Codognotto.

“They do this before any real science can be done. Preempting the coroner/court is not tolerated in other crashes or crimes.”

He says the radio shock jock needs to recognise that motorcycle and scooter riders are “legitimate, environmentally-friendly road users who more than pay their way”.

“As electric bikes become the norm numbers of two-wheelers will continue to grow,” he says.

“It behoves community voices like Mitchel to promote harmony on our roads, not hate”.

radio jock calls fr rider ban on highway

Shepherds Australia Foundation cofounder Dean Marks says there is too much comment in the media before the “appropriate facts” are investigated.

“What should be reported is the collision, outcome and that the matter is under investigation.

“Until complete, it would be unfair and unreasonable to make further comment.

“We are constantly seeing the cart before the horse which forces people into sides before any investigation has been undertaken.”

radio jock calls fr rider ban on highway

Riders have been calling for proper analysis of motorcycle crashes for years, rather than relying on incomplete and hastily concluded crash investigations by police.

Click here to about the great road crash statistics scam.

Last year, the Victorian La Trobe University unveiled a plan to create a national road trauma research hub at its Bendigo campus, in a bid to reduce Australia’s regional road toll.

This was welcomed by rider representatives.

However, efforts to check on the progress of the plan have failed. Riders groups claim it may have just been a media stunt to attract funding.

Meanwhile, the Victorian Motorcycle Expert Advisory Panel has not sat since before the state election.

Victorian motorcycle campaigner and former No 1 member of the Motorcycle Riders Association of Australia Rodney Brown says the current motorcycle death rate makes it vital the committee meets soon.

He has contacted new Roads Minister Jaala Pulford urging the government to “start talking to the motorcycle community to gather overall feedback and act upon it”.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

The smart brake light that may save your life

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This smart brake light could just save your life. It illuminates even when you slow down with the throttle only and acts as a warning motorists following behind.

Rear-ender crashes involving motorcycles are too frequent, probably because we often slow down with engine braking, rather than the brakes. This can take following motorists by surprise.

So the makers of the clever Smart Turn System self-cancelling indicators ($160 plus shipping) have now introduced their Smart Brake Module ($125 plus shipping).Smart Turn System Self-cancelling indicator may save your life

BUY smart indicators here

They had identified that many crashes are caused by riders forgetting to turn off their indicators. They also believe that many motorcyclists are rear-ended because riders don’t use their brakes to slow down.

How it works

The Smart Brake Module uses the same motion sensor technology as the Smart Turn System.

It detects any decrease in speed, regardless of braking with the front or rear brake or just decelerating with the engine.

Spokesman Miha Ernstscheinder says the module will detect “even the smallest deceleration forces”.

“It senses deceleration, and it activates the brake light when it senses a deceleration greater than 4.1kmh/s (2.5mph),” he says.

So it detects deceleration even before the bike’s brake switch activates.

Two modes

It has two modes of operation – a steady brake light signal (the same as when you press the brake lever) or a “flashing signal”.

“The flashing signal is similar to the blinker frequency,” Miha says.

“It does not have a modulating effect like a strobe which is forbidden and can be used only by emergency services and police.

“Most safety schools teach or advise that you tap the brake lever when you are engine braking.

“That signals to the following traffic and increases their reaction times.

“The SBM module does exactly that, but automatically.”

(When you apply the brakes, the brake lights perform in the usual way as a solid light.)

It could be enough to save you from a rear ender.road rage tailgate tailgating rear-ender motorcycles BMW S 1000 RR lane filtering lane splitting

Miha says the brake light is compatible with all motorcycles whether they have standard bulbs, LEDs or HID lights.

“It is very small and easy to fit – not much bigger than a box of matches — and easy to hide under your motorcycle seat.”

Legality lights

Some riders have questioned whether the unit is legal in Australia.

There is no mention in the Australian Design Rules about the light modulating.

However, Miha says the unit has Homologation Type Approval which is above the requirements of regulations around the world.

“It complies with the unified standards which are standardised in all countries that are part of the United Nations,” he says.

“Thousands of riders have already made the MOT in the USA, UK, Germany and Australia.”

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com