Motorcycle safety prioritised amid rising fatalities

State highway patrol solo unit Senior Sergeant John Papas said police saw a significant amount of motorcyclist road trauma last year, which had shown no sign of slowing.

“Motorcyclists are one of our most vulnerable road users and have little to protect them if they’re involved in a collision. We must all do everything we can to protect riders,” Sgt Papas said.

“For motorists, that means watching out for motorcyclists, being present behind the wheel and aware of your surroundings.”

Worryingly, three quarters of rider deaths occurred on regional roads, an 80 per cent increase on the same time last year.

Five of the recorded deaths occurred in the state’s west, including at Girgarre and Heathcote.

All deceased riders were males, aged between 23 and 82.