Fatal crashes usually rider error
Almost 100 motorcyclists have been stopped by South West police during the first half of an operation aiming to save riders’ lives.
South West Traffic police began Operation Namor in response to a series of fatal motorcycle crashes around Bunbury in November.
Of the 95 motorcyclists stopped during the first weeks of December, 17 were caught speeding, two were riding without licences and one was issued with a $1000 fine for attempting to obscure his number plate.
South West Traffic coordinator Sgt Dave Hurdle said it was important to focus on rider behaviour because rider error was involved in most fatal crashes.
“When it comes to fatal traffic crashes, the motorcyclists are at fault three quarters of the time,” Sgt Hurdle said.
“The letters to the editor are always about it being the car drivers, but the evidence is it’s the motorcyclists.”
In the past two years, 77 per cent of riders were at fault in fatal crashes and more than half did not involve another vehicle.
Riders were typically aged between 45 and 55, all were male and nearly half were riding with either a suspended licence or an incorrect licence.
Every fatal motorcycle crash happened during daylight hours.
And all but one were on dry, sealed roads in fine weather.
Speed was a factor in almost half the fatal crashes and most happened on right-hand bends.
Sgt Hurdle said the youngest rider was 23 and the eldest was 73.
“Generally there’s this concentration on young drivers and riders, but these aren’t young,” Sgt Hurdle said.
“A lot of them are riding for pleasure.
“They’re not riding to or from work and they’re that older group that can afford the bigger motorcycles.
“What we can’t tell is if they’re experienced.
“They may have not ridden for a while, or may be once-a-month riders and not really that experienced.”
