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NSW Police cite speed in tragic week

Rider deaths tragic
Rider stopped by NSW Police for speeding

NSW Police look set for a major crackdown on riders in the wake of five tragic motorcyclist deaths in the past week and a rider clocked at 193km/h in an 80 zone in north-western Sydney.

Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy of the state’s Traffic & Highway Patrol Command issued a statement saying that the motorcyclist’s behaviour is the sort that is costing lives.

“Twenty motorcyclists have died so far this year in crashes, which is seven more than the same time last year,” he says. 

“The actions of this rider could easily have added to these sad and tragic numbers on our roads.”

Sydney rider

Police allegedly detected a 27-year-old man riding a Kawasaki at 193km/h about 1am on Thursday in the 80km/h zone on Old Windsor Road, Bella Vista.

The rider was taken to Castle Hill Police Station where he was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice for the offences of drive at speed dangerous to the public, and exceeding the speed by more than 45km/h.

His licence was also suspended.

The North Kellyville man is due to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Friday 24 April 2019.

Knee-jerk reaction

Sadly it seems this incident, plus the tragic coincidence of five rider deaths in the past week could lead to a knee-jerk reaction from policer the new NSW government.

Motorcycle Council of NSW chairman Steve Pearce has warned riders that their behaviour could be “a big factor” in motorcycle crashes.

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Steve Pearce

“In the case of motorcycle accidents, it is very hard to generalise when it comes to the cause,” he says.

“My view is rider attitude is a big factor. Attitude drives decisions. Decisions to speed, drink or use drugs before riding, wear inappropriate riding gear, this is a consequence of our decisions. 

“Car drivers make poor decisions and get away with it. Poor decisions by riders can be life or death decisions.

“I also think personal temperament is a big factor. Our emotions can quickly change decision making from cautious to aggressive, risk averse to risk taker.

“If we could train riders to monitor their temperament and attitude, I think we would see less motorcycle related trauma on our roads.

“I don’t think speed itself can be blamed, However we have to remember that the decision to speed introduces risk. Contact with roadside infrastructure and other vehicles at speed will punish you if it all goes to crap.”

Tragic deathsRoad safety crash accident motorcycle scam emergency reduce injured tragic

The five NSW rider tragedies in the past weekare:

  • Just before 7.30pm on Friday, emergency services were called to the New England Highway near Whittingham, after a motorcycle and two cars collided. Officers from Hunter Valley Police District rendered assistance. The 50-year-old rider died at the scene.
  • About 8.30am on Saturday, a motorcycle and a utility collided on Putty Road, Howells Valley, about 50km south of Singleton. The motorcycle rider, a 44-year-old man, sustained serious injuries and was flown to John Hunter Hospital, where he later died. The driver of the utility, a 58-year-old man, was uninjured. He was taken to Singleton Hospital for mandatory blood and urine tests.
  • Just after 4.30pm on Sunday (24 March 2019), emergency services were called to the Great Western Highway at Meadow Flat, following reports a motorcyclist had come off his bike. Officers from Chifley Police District attended and found the 59-year-old man had died at the scene.
  • A 73-year-old rider died on Tuesday about 12.30pm. The KTM KTM rider was part of an organised ride heading south on the Lakes Way, between Smiths Lake and Bungwahl. Police say the man was negotiating a sweeping left-hand bend when his bike collided with a Toyota Hilux in the north-bound lane. Other motorcycle riders attempted to resuscitate the man, but he died at the scene. The 45-year-old male Toyota driver was tested at a nearby hospital and the motorcycle seized for mechanical testing. A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
  • About 7.30am on Wednesday a motorcyclist died after losing control and crashing near Moree. The male rider, aged 57, died at the scene. A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Our condolences to the families and friends of the riders.

Police ask anyone with information about these incidents to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

(Main image of an unknown rider: NSW Police Facebook page)

  1. I saw a rider yesterday lane splitting at over 120km/h wearing shorts sand shoes. Sad but these idiots give us a bad name.

  2. It would be soo good if someone would only publish the reason for these crashes so we could all learn from their mistakes, I’ve been riding for 62 years and reckon you never stop learning

  3. I think Mr Pearce could take a leaf out of the books of some of the cyclist organisations in the way he represents motorcyclists…OR doesn’t . I seem to remember his last opinion was along the same lines
    but to lower our insurance..How about better roads ..How about removing some of the ‘furniture’ from the roadsides..etc..etc ..How about proper representation

  4. Yesterday a rider was killed when a sinkhole opened up beneath him as he was stopped at traffic lights, police sited speed as a contributing factor.
    Just getting out of bed is a risk entering the bathroom and taking a shower is an even worse risk with the number of deaths from slipping and falling far exceeding the road toll.
    Speed even high speed is only dangerous when there is a problem that can not be avoided due to the excessive speed. There are incidents that can occur at very high speed on a motorcycle that cause no harm to anyone or anything except the bike and there are low speed accidents that can cause severe injuries and death.
    What is the point of this rant? Speed has never been the problem it has only ever been an ingredient in a recipe for an accident the same as saltpetre charcoal and Sulfur are ingredients in gunpowder they are all very safe and stable until someone lights a match!
    Police should be out looking for matches not ingredients.

    1. Well there was the previously reported kid in the NT The driver who crossed double whites killing him copped
      a $270 fine..What does that tell you? In another report is a rash of hit and runs on motorcyclists What does that tell you?..That the cops are straight lazy..and its far easier to blame speed on unwitnessed fatalities than actually investigate…After all they can get more off you for speeding..than from a cage driver that kills. And to top that platitudes from someone who is supposed to represent us

  5. > It would be soo good if someone would only publish the reason for these crashes so
    > we could all learn from their mistakes, I’ve been riding for 62 years and reckon you
    > never stop learning

    Arnold, you’ve got a few years on me, but I totally agree about continually learning.

    I’m not going to defend the d***heads who lane split at 120km/h or get caught at 193km/h in the suburbs (Bella Vista last week) but it is all too easy to blame accidents on excessive speed. At the same time, I am sure that excessive speed for the particular situation is a contributing factor for a number of accidents.

  6. I’m worried about how close cars and trucks travel behind me on my bike, motorists must keep one meter from a cycle how about some protection for us motorcycle riders say minimum distance or 4or5 seconds or one vehicle length for every 10 kph,

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