One rider has died and another serious injured in allegedly single-vehicle motorcycle crashes in Brisbane over the past couple of days.
In the first incident, a 26-year-old Cornubia man died in a crash on Lytton Rd, Bulimba, at 5.30am yesterday (19 April 2019).
Police say it was a single-vehicle crash, although they have not yet concluded their investigations and are still calling for witnesses and dash cam vision.
In the second incident, police say a 47-year-old male rider from Kingston sustained life-threatening-injuries “following reports a motorcycle had left the Kingston Road and crashed”.
Again, police have not finished their investigations and are calling for witnesses and dash cam evidence.
Our condolences to the family and friends of the first rider and our best wishes for a speedy recovery for the second rider.
Single-vehicle crashes
The police allegations that these are single-vehicle motorcycle crashes are a concern.
It raises the spectre that the riders were at fault. Such assertions should not be made until investigations are completed.
Other vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians or a stray animal could have caused the crashes.
Claiming they are single-vehicle crashes only confirms in the minds of the public that riders have a death wish and do not deserve their respect and consideration.
These are dangerous assertions that jeopardise the safety of all riders.
In fact, the statistics show that more motorcycle fatalities are in multi-vehicle crashes.
And in half of those the rider was not at fault.
Last month, Motorcycle Council of NSW chairman Steve Pearce said he feared police assumed crashes riders were guilty until proven innocent.
“I think there is a view that riders are more likely to be at fault in accidents involving motorcycles and that speed is the common factor,” Steve says.
“We see this in single-vehicle accidents involving a motorcycle, where the rider is automatically deemed to be at fault.
“This ignores factors such as road condition, line markings, recent roadworks, lack of signage.”
Witnesses sought
If you have information for police on either of these incidents, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.
In the rider fatality, quote this reference number QP1900767388 and in the second incident, quote QP1900775488.