Part of Assistant Commissioner Ben Marcus' portfolio is road policing – how the QPS responds to road-related incidents, investigating serious and fatal crashes, as well as implementing programs to ensure we can all enjoy safe use of our roads.
He is also a motorcyclist enthusiast and has a message for you.
Motorcyclists are vulnerable users of our roads.
Statistics show riders can take more responsibility for their safety.
In fact, we lost 13 riders in February 2021 – the most of any month last year. During the first quarter of 2021:
- 50% of motorcycle fatalities occurred from Friday night to Sunday
- 91% of riders were male
- 68% of riders were inexperienced
- The rider was deemed to be at fault in 73% of crashes; and
- Of these crashes, 93% involved excessive speed for the conditions
- 62% engaged in dangerous behaviours such as drink and drug driving
Safety on our roads is up to all road users whether they are driving a car, riding a motorcycle or pushbike or are a pedestrian.
Know what you can do to prevent crashes
A safer ride starts with you. It is your:
- attitude – the way you feel when you get on your motorcycle will show up in the way you ride; and
- concentration – do not ride if you're impaired by fatigue, alcohol, drugs or dehydration
The road ahead constantly changes. It is important to watch the road surface, monitor your surroundings, including your mirrors and instruments.
It is also about choosing the correct position on the road and creating buffer zones with other road users to avoid collisions.
Look after yourself and your pillions
One of my pet hates is a rider dressed in the best protective gear while their pillions are wearing shorts, a t-shirt and thongs.
What you wear could save your life. Invest in good quality protective gear.
Maintaining your motorcycle is just as important as what you wear when you are riding.
Performing these checks will ensure your motorcycle is in a good and safe condition so you can enjoy your ride.
This includes:
Tyres/ Tyre pressure/ Chain tension, including lubricating the chain/ Brake pads/ Engine oil/ Brake fluid/ Coolant levels/ Fork legs/ Electrics
The best thing you can do for yourself, or gift to a rider you know, is to book a course that improves your riding skills.
Take part in a rider safety or skills course
There are a range of rider education courses around the state that motorcyclists can book in to.
For southern and south-east Queensland riders, the QPS runs a skill-enhancing course – Keep it up-right.
The course is affordable and takes you deeper into the how's and why's of cornering, braking, road craft, crash prevention and choosing the most suitable gear for you.
At this stage, the course is only available at Jimboomba (Logan) and bookings can be made by clicking the link above.
Click here for further information on other Government run rider safety courses.
A safer ride starts with you.
Take control and start gearing up for a safer ride, now.
The QPS has produced a safer ride series which gives riders tips and hints on how they can enjoy their ride.
StreetSmarts also has a number of resources for new and returning riders and how you can improve your ride craft.
Take a quiz today to measure your own skills.
What are you going to do to make sure your next ride is not your last?
