Police are prioritising motorcycle safety in October following a worrying rise in rider fatalities in 2024.
There have been 52 motorcyclist fatalities so far this year, just one shy of the total 53 rider fatalities for all of 2023.
At the same time last year there were 35 rider motorcyclist deaths while the five-year average for the period is 32.8.
It’s the highest number of motorcycle fatalities recorded between January and September in 10 years.
The increased focus coincides with Motorcycle Awareness Month, an annual initiative that encourages both motorists and motorcyclists to safely share the road.
“During Motorcycle Awareness Month, and in the months following, we’ll have an increased focus on rider safety via education and enforcement, but we’re asking all road users to consider how they can contribute to making our roads safer,” said Victoria Police Road Policing Assistant Commissioner, Glenn Weir.
Assistant Commissioner Weir said the initiative was especially important this year.
“We’re about to enter what has traditionally been the highest risk period for motorcyclist fatalities, and yet with still three months remaining in the year, we’re close to surpassing the total number of motorcyclist deaths for all of 2023.”
October to December is traditionally considered the highest risk period for motorcycle trauma.
Recent police analysis of this year’s motorcycle fatalities found at least 60 per cent of fatal rider collisions were multi-vehicle collisions, with the majority occurring at intersections.
Failing to give way was cited as the most common factor in fatal rider collisions where the other party was at fault, while excessive speed has been identified as the major contributing factor.
More than 90 per cent of the deceased riders were male.
Assistant Commissioner Weir said it was up to both motorcyclists and motorists to take extra care to reduce the amount of fatalities.
“Now is not the time to be complacent – it’s up to all of us to do everything we can to prevent further motorcyclist deaths. Every rider death is one too many.”
