One of the sad consequences of the easing of lockdown restrictions in some states is the increase in motorcycle crashes.
As expected, crashes reduced with the reduction of traffic when the lockdown started in mid-March.
A lengthy report after the GFC found a similar pattern.
It makes sense that crashes would drop as traffic reduced.
However, police also observed there was a decrease in speeding fines, but an increase in high-range speeding as some motorists took advantage of quiet roads.
Although statistics will not yet be conclusive, we have noticed several crashes involving other vehicles since the lockdown started to ease.
Over the weekend two drivers were charged after hitting and killing two riders ion Sydney, alone.
Will we now see a sharp rise in multi-vehicle crashes as riders suddenly appear on the roads again?
It’s only been about 5-6 weeks, but some motorists may have forgotten to look for riders.
There have been virtually no motorcycle crashes in Victoria, but that could change now that their lockdown restrictions have been relaxed.
Latest incidents
In the latest incident, a rider died about 10.45am today (11 May 2020) at the Logan River Williams Bridge, between Round Mountain Road and Christmas Creek Road.
The northbound motorcycle ran into the rear of a northbound car that had stopped near the entrance to the bridge to allow a southbound truck to cross.
The 74-year-old male rider died at the scene.
Our sincere condolences to his family and friends.
It follows a serious collision between a car and motorcycle about 4.25pm yesterday (10 May 2020) in Canungra on the Gold Coast hinterland.
The rider was heading southwest on Lamington National Park Road when it collided with a dark grey Hyundai Tucson.
The male rider was transported to Gold Coast University Hospital in a serious condition.
Our sincere best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.
The driver and passenger in the Hyundai Tucson were not physically injured.
Forensic Crash Unit investigators are appealing for witnesses or anyone who was in the vicinity and may have dash cam vision, to contact police.
If you have information for Queensland Police on either of these incidents, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.
Another incident
In NSW, two teens were seriously injured after the motorcycle they were riding and a car collided in the Illawarra region about 11.30pm yesterday.
Their bike collided wth a Toyota Aurion sedan in Hertford Street at Berkeley.
On arrival, officers from Lake Illawarra Police District found the motorcycle rider, a 16-year-old boy, and his pillion passenger, a 17-year-old girl, seriously injured.
Both were taken to Wollongong Hospital in a serious condition.
UPDATE: Sadly the teenage girl died on Thursday 14 May 2020. Our sincere condolences to her family and friends.
The driver of the car, an 18-year-old man, was not injured and was taken to hospital for mandatory testing.
Witnesses or anyone with dashcam vision in the area has been asked 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.
Our sincere best wishes for the boy’s full and speedy recovery.