Record motorcycle fatalities preventable
Published Wednesday, 07 November, 2007 at 11:43 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
More motorcyclists have been killed on the state's roads so far this year than for all of 2006 – and many were preventable.
Transport Minister John Mickel has appealed to motorcycle riders to do what was needed to stop the senseless waste of life.
"To have lost this many motorbike riders on our roads is overwhelming, especially when so many of these fatalities would have been avoidable," Mr Mickel said.
So far this year there have been 65 motorcycle riders killed on Queensland roads, compared to 56 riders for the whole of 2006.
The latest death occurred overnight on the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast region has seen more than its share of these tragedies, with 16 riders killed this year, four more than for all of last year.
"The main contributing factors in most of these incidents were speed, alcohol and performing illegal manoeuvres," Mr Mickel said.
"That tells me that many of these deaths were not accidents – they were the result of deliberate and reckless behaviour.
"Most riders are young guys, and it would be fair to say at that age you feel bullet-proof. But as we have seen the body is a fragile thing and if you come off your bike at speed you are totally unprotected.
"I urge motorbike riders to be extremely careful on the roads, slow down and give themselves the best possible chance of surviving the ride.
"We'll continue to keep up our end of the bargain to ensure motorbike safety is paramount."
In July 2007, legislation changed to require motorbike riders to hold a provisional car licence for at least 12 months before gaining a motorbike licence, so they will have more on-road driving experience.
Also in July, Queensland Transport launched a motorbike safety campaign targeted at both motorists and riders.
"Queensland Transport is also continuing to take action to improve motorbike safety with a review of our Q-RIDE competency training program," Mr Mickel said.
"Already we have introduced a more stringent auditing of training providers, better instructor-to-student ratios, and random checks of Q-RIDE courses by
Queensland Transport staff participating in the training anonymously.
"In the meantime, we need all motorists and riders on the road to keep safety at the forefront of their mind and drive carefully to avoid more senseless tragedies."
Media contact: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060.
November 7, 2007
Transport Minister John Mickel has appealed to motorcycle riders to do what was needed to stop the senseless waste of life.
"To have lost this many motorbike riders on our roads is overwhelming, especially when so many of these fatalities would have been avoidable," Mr Mickel said.
So far this year there have been 65 motorcycle riders killed on Queensland roads, compared to 56 riders for the whole of 2006.
The latest death occurred overnight on the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast region has seen more than its share of these tragedies, with 16 riders killed this year, four more than for all of last year.
"The main contributing factors in most of these incidents were speed, alcohol and performing illegal manoeuvres," Mr Mickel said.
"That tells me that many of these deaths were not accidents – they were the result of deliberate and reckless behaviour.
"Most riders are young guys, and it would be fair to say at that age you feel bullet-proof. But as we have seen the body is a fragile thing and if you come off your bike at speed you are totally unprotected.
"I urge motorbike riders to be extremely careful on the roads, slow down and give themselves the best possible chance of surviving the ride.
"We'll continue to keep up our end of the bargain to ensure motorbike safety is paramount."
In July 2007, legislation changed to require motorbike riders to hold a provisional car licence for at least 12 months before gaining a motorbike licence, so they will have more on-road driving experience.
Also in July, Queensland Transport launched a motorbike safety campaign targeted at both motorists and riders.
"Queensland Transport is also continuing to take action to improve motorbike safety with a review of our Q-RIDE competency training program," Mr Mickel said.
"Already we have introduced a more stringent auditing of training providers, better instructor-to-student ratios, and random checks of Q-RIDE courses by
Queensland Transport staff participating in the training anonymously.
"In the meantime, we need all motorists and riders on the road to keep safety at the forefront of their mind and drive carefully to avoid more senseless tragedies."
Media contact: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060.
November 7, 2007