Change location v

Safety warning for motorcyclists

By virtue of their relative size and potential speed, being a motorcyclist on Australian roads is dangerous at the best of times. Often caught in the blind spot of cars and heavy vehicles, motorcycles are involved in many accidents each year.

However, there has been a significant spike in the number of injured riders in recent months, which has prompted one state to issue a safety warning to motorcyclists.

According to the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ), there have been 43 injured riders reported since the beginning of July. This calculates to one every three days.

RACQ noted that all road users need to be aware of unexpected road hazards such as motorcycles, and riders themselves need to understand their vulnerability on Australia’s busy roads.

This safety warning comes on the back of one particular crash where three motorcyclists were injured in an accident with a vehicle in Central Queensland.

In recent days, NSW authorities also caught a rider speeding at 160km/h in a 90km/h zone in Parramatta. The motorcyclist was issued an infringement for exceeding the speed limit and his licence was also suspended.

Both examples show that more respect needs to be shown to other road users and safety should be made a priority – particularly by motorcyclists.

RACQ Executive Manager Technical and Safety Policy Steve Spalding offered some advice for riders to keep themselves safe.

“While it can be a great feeling to get out on the open road, especially when riding with mates, it’s important to make sure your safety isn’t compromised by taking risks,” he said.

“Make sure you ride to the road conditions, stick to the speed limit and leave at least two seconds between you and the vehicle in front, even if it is another motorbike.”

NSW Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Assistant Commissioner John Hartley’s comments echoed this message.

“It is imperative all motorists share the road so that each person reaches their destination safely,” he said in an October 28 media statement.

If you are a motorcyclist who has been injured in an incident with a vehicle or vice versa, you could be eligible for compensation.

The motor accident compensation scheme extends to cyclists as well as passengers injured in car accidents, pedestrians crossing the road and pillion passengers on motorbikes.

For more information, contact a car accident compensation lawyer today who can discuss the circumstances of the case and advise you on your possible legal options.

About Us
Gerard Malouf & Partners have provided friendly, experienced legal advice to communities across Australia for over 35 years. Our Personal Injury Lawyers have taken on ten’s of thousands of cases and we are proud to have won billions of dollars for our clients.
Lawyers
Meet the diverse and dynamic team of compensation lawyers and supporting staff that have made this all happen below. Our multi-lingual team can discuss your claims in Arabic, Assyrian, Turkish, Greek, Italian, French, Serbian, Croatian, Armenian, Mandarin, Hindi, Punjabi or Malayalam.
Resources
Meet the diverse and dynamic team of compensation lawyers and supporting staff that have made this all happen below. Our multi-lingual team can discuss your claims in Arabic, Assyrian, Turkish, Greek, Italian, French, Serbian, Croatian, Armenian, Mandarin, Hindi, Punjabi or Malayalam.

Your location is currently: