Tag Archives: VicPol

News

Horror motorcycle crashes in two states

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Three motorcyclists are critically injured following a horror night on the roads in NSW and Victoria with police appealing for witnesses to the crashes, including one hit and run.

On initial police reports, it appears that two of the incidents were the fault of drivers.

Pennant Hills crash

A motorcyclist remains in a critical condition after coming off his bike at Pennant Hills overnight.

The crash happened on Pennant Hills Road when a southbound motorcyclist swerved to avoid a northbound silver Mitsubishi Outlander performing a U-turn, near the intersection of Pomona Street, about 6.20pm (Thursday 7 March 2019),

The 23-year-old rider was thrown from the motorcycle, sliding along the roadway before hitting a brick wall.

He sustained head and internal injuries and has undergone surgery overnight in Westmead Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.

The driver of the SUV, a 62-year-old man from West Pennant Hills, continued south but was flagged down by another motorist.

He immediately returned to the scene and spoke with police. The man was arrested and has now undergone mandatory testing; he has also provided a statement to Crash Investigators.

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the crash and has not yet spoken to officers, or anyone with dash cam vision, to contact the Crash Investigation Unit or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.nsw cops police Horror bike crashes in two states

Hit and run

Keilor police are appealing for witnesses or dashcam footage following a hit run in Laverton North last night (7 March).

Investigators have been told a motorcycle rider collided with an unknown vehicle on the entry ramp of the Western Ring Road near the Princes Freeway about 6.25pm.

The rider, a 42-year-old Altona North man, was thrown from his motorcycle and suffered non-life threatening injuries. He was transported to hospital for treatment.

It is believed the driver of the vehicle fled the scene without rendering assistance.

Anyone with information or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.auvictoria nsw cops police Horror bike crashes in two states

Rear-ender

Police are investigating a collision in Balwyn North this evening that has left a motorcyclist with life-threatening injuries.

It is believed the motorcyclist was travelling inbound on the Eastern Freeway near Burke Road about 9pm when it has struck the back of a silver Mercedes.

The yet to be identified male rider was thrown from his BMW motorcycle and has been taken to hospital in a critical condition.

The female driver of the Mercedes was not injured.

Police believe a second motorcycle may have been travelling in the vicinity at the time of the collision.

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

Long weekend patrols

Riders on Victorian roads and bush tracks are advised that police will be targeting motorcyclists this Labour Day long weekend.

Click here for more details.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

MotoGP, News

Warning of police patrols for WSBK riders

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Victoria Police are expected to be out in force over the next few days as warning to motorcyclists to ride safely on their way to and from the World Superbikes at Phillip Island this weekend.

In previous years, VicPol have conducted “Motosafe” operations around the WSBK and MotoGP events.

We contacted VicPol to find out what they had planned for this year, but they said they couldn’t supply an answer until the end of the week, which is too late to issue a specific warning to riders.

Rider warning

However, riders have complained in the past that over-zealous police make life difficult for riders.

They have reported long queues for licence checks at road blocks, indiscriminate roadside bike inspections and an abundance of speed detection.

Some have even said they not return because of the heavy handed police presence.

So while these events are recognised as two of the major tourist attractions to the state, these police operations seem to have had the reverse effect.

We will update this article with a specific warning if or when VicPol supply details of their operations.

Meanwhile, we invite riders to leave a comment below of their experiences to alert other riders.

And make sure you have fun at the Island and get home in one piece.

World Superbikes 2019 Phillip Island WSBK Jamie Morris/Geebee Images/2SNAP warning
World Superbikes at Phillip Island (Images on this page: Jamie Morris/Geebee Images/2SNAP)

Rule warning

For those interstate riders visiting Victoria, remember it is not legal to ride in a bus, bicycle, transit, tram or truck lane.

The only exception is if you are stopping for an emergency or turning and then you can only be in the lane for 1090m (50m for bicycle and tram lanes).

Also, VicPol now have automatic number plate recognition technology to detect unregistered vehicles.

Tourist events

WSBK and MotoGP are significant tourist events that reap millions of dollars in annual revenue for Victoria.

The Victorian Government’s Motorcycle Tourism Strategy 2013-2016 actually says “motorcycle tourism has the potential to make an important contribution to the Victorian economy, particularly in regional areas. Motorcycling is the fastest growing road user sector.”

The strategy has not been updated since 2016.

However, the Australian Bureau of Statistics confirms that motorcycle riders account for about 1% of Australian tourism which is worth about $350 million annually to the economy.

Also, an Australian Financial Review report cited the booming motorcycle tourism industry as being dominated by domestic intra-state bikers taking short, weekend rides into rural areas and staying in country hotels. 

“Others do longer inter-state trips through classic touring country such as coastal and alpine roads. Then there’s the motorbike tourists who tour for several weeks or months, either in a tour group or by hiring bikes and self-guiding,” the report stated.

And, of course, making an annual pilgrimage to the island!

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

VicPol gets number plate recognition

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Victoria Police have enlisted their first patrol car with automatic number plate recognition technology, lagging behind other states.

The technology, developed by Motorola Solutions Australia, is helpful for riders as it will reduce the need for police to pull riders over for licence checks or for dangerous high-speed pursuits.

It will also help police catch those unlicensed riders on stolen and unregistered bikes who crash and adversely affect the road toll statistics for riders.

We couldn’t get quick access to statistics of illegal riding and subsequent crashes.

However, as an example, Queensland Main Roads says more than 5700 infringement notices were issued from 2015 to the end of October last year for riding an unregistered motorcycle or unlicensed riding.

A few years ago VicPol noted that illegal riders represented a third of all fatal motorcycle crashes.

They couldn’t provide a current breakdown for motorcycles, but did provide these sobering crash stats from 2016:

  • Unauthorised drivers were at fault in 16% of all crashes; and
  • One in five injury collisions involving an unregistered vehicle also involved an unauthorised driver/rider.

VicPol plays catch-up

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

The first VicPol patrol car with the recognition technology will be deployed in Bendigo with 220 more to be rolled out across the state over the next two years.

The system will allow police to scan about 5000 number plates per shift. Their vehicles will also be fitted with video cameras for evidence.

However, VicPol is playing a game of catch-up with other states.

NSW Police say all marked Highway Patrol Vehicles and selected general duty vehicles already carry automatic number plate recognition technology.

“Those that ride unregistered motorcycles, or ride unlicensed, continue to put themselves and other road users at great risk,” they told us.

Queensland has 77 police cars and motorbikes with the tech with more due before the middle of the year.

South Australian Police acknowledge they have them but were coy, as usual: “We wouldn’t provide the number of cars with ANPR cameras as we don’t generally discuss our resources.”

But we’re glad they have them!

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com