THE Queensland Police Service is ramping up speed and general traffic enforcement operations as well as roadside rider engagement in an effort to crack down on serious motorcycle crashes.
Police issued a state-wide safety alert saying some 21 motorcycle riders having been killed and dozens more hurt on Queensland’s roads so far in 2021.
The number of motorcycle rider fatalities is more than double the average rate and the highest it has been at this time of year in more than five years.
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The state’s overall lives lost toll is currently 66 – or 22 more than the same time last year.
Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Ben Marcus said the rising rate of motorcycle fatalities was shocking and had prompted police to issue an urgent safety alert to all riders.
“Twenty-one motorcyclists lost in 10 weeks is of extreme concern and we need all riders, particularly those who are inexperienced, to take note and be extra careful on our roads,” Assistant Commissioner Marcus said.
“As an avid motorcyclist myself, I know how vulnerable we are as road users and I have seen first-hand how devastating the consequences can be when crashes occur.”
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Assistant Commissioner Marcus said a preliminary assessment of fatal motorcycle crashes this year indicated the rider was at fault in at least 70 per cent of cases.
“Rider safety is everyone’s responsibility, but it starts with you as a rider,” he said.
“Your behaviour on the road has direct consequences on your life and those around you. With a significant increase in motorcycle registrations in the past 12 months, there are a lot of inexperienced riders on our roads but we have also seen extremely dangerous behaviour across all rider types.”
Police said officers would also provide safety advice to motorcycle groups in key locations and retailers as part of ongoing efforts to prevent further tragedies.
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- 21 motorcycle riders have died on Queensland roads this year, compared to 10 in 2020, 9 in 2019 and 11 in 2018.
- An estimated 70% of fatal motorcycle crashes have been considered rider error
- Queensland’s Lives Lost toll is 66, compared with 44 at this time last year
- Large increases in fatalities have been recorded in Wide Bay, South Brisbane and Logan police districts.