Wednesday, 22 October, 2008
Media release:
From the Minister for Roads and Ports
Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas today launched a new motorcycle safety campaign to reduce the number of motorcycle crashes on Victorian roads.
Mr Pallas said the campaign, featuring a graphic television advertisement urging motorists to ‘Look, look and look again’ for motorcyclists, follows the death of 35 motorcyclists already this year, an increase of 13 per cent from the same time last year.
"Motorcyclists are about 30 times more likely to be seriously injured on the road per kilometre travelled," Mr Pallas said.
"In 2007, ten motorcyclists were killed and 202 injured at intersections after colliding with another vehicle. Almost 40 per cent of serious motorcycle crashes occurred at intersections and a quarter of these involved cars turning right and colliding with motorcycles going straight through.
"The new campaign also responds to alarming international research that reveals almost half of all crashes involving a motorcyclist and a car are caused by the driver failing to see the motorcyclists."
Mr Pallas said there were more motorcycles and scooters on Victorian roads than ever before.
"Motorcycle registrations increased by 28 per cent from 2002 to 2007," Mr Pallas said.
"Even though the number of motorcycle fatalities has reduced by over 20 per cent, compared to an increase of 15 per cent for the rest of Australia, we want to reduce these fatalities even further."
"This campaign highlights the extreme vulnerability of motorcyclists and aims to improve driving practices for both motorists and motorcyclists."
The campaign is funded by the Motorcycle Safety Levy. About $4.5 million is collected annually for the purpose of funding road safety initiatives to reduce motorcyclist trauma.
Neil O’Keefe, Independent Chairperson of the Victorian Motorcycle Advisory Council said using the Levy’s funds for a campaign with such a strong safety message would have a strong impact.
"If the advertisement makes Victorians at home jump, imagine what it’s like for a motorcyclist who experiences the shock of watching a driver pull out in front of them," Mr O’Keefe said.
The ‘Look, Look and Look Again’ campaign is part of the Brumby Government’s arrive alive 10 year road safety strategy, and was developed in co-operation with the Victorian Motorcycle Advisory Council, VicRoads and the Transport Accident Commission.
For more information on the campaign and to view the advertisement, visit www.arrivealive.vic.gov.au