September 30, 2016
Rebecca Gilbert
As of September this year, a staggering 43 motorcyclists have died on Victorian roads. Having surpassed the death tally for the whole of 2015 back in June, the number of motorcycle deaths in 2016 has doubled those of last year.
As result of an alarming spike in deaths back in February with a total of 15 riders losing their lives, the 2016 motorcycle death toll is looking to be the highest in five years as the warmer weather brings more riders out onto the roads.
According to data released by Vic Roads outlining the crash and injury statistics for crashes on Victorian roads over the past five years, the total number of crashes involving motorcycles has been steadily rising since 2011. Between 2011 and 2015 the number of crashes reported to involve motorcycles has increased by more than 250 incidents, escalating from 1,925 in 2011 to 2195 in 2015.
Whilst 2014 saw a substantial decline in fatalities with 12 less deaths than the previous annual toll of 42, the figures from 2015 and those of this year have failed to continue this trend.
[infogram id=”0f12c245-ddcf-462c-873d-356d655b463f”]Notable peaks in the number of crashes amongst all road users occur repeatedly in the month of March with the Easter holidays a notorious contributor to Victoria’s annual road tolls.
With the warmer days drawing to close come the month of April, the four day long weekend during Easter often encourages riders to enjoy long day trips before the wet weather sets in. With the four day holiday often bringing more vehicles out onto the roads to travel to and from Easter festivities, increased traffic, alcohol and fatigue presents a dangerous concoction for Victorian roads.
Over the past five years, March has repeatedly been the most fatal month of the year, a trend that is consistent amongst both motorcyclists and four wheeled drivers. Whilst the statistics show a general decreasing trend in the total number of deaths that occur each year in March, declining from 34 deaths in 2011 to 22 deaths in 2015, the month of March has contributed the highest number of fatalities on Victorian roads over the last five years.
Between 2011 and 2015, a total of 28 motorcyclists have died on Victorian roads in the month of March, reflecting an increase of at least 28% compared to all other months. However for drivers of four wheeled vehicles, the total number of deaths in March during this period was 117, equal with the total number of deaths for November. Also notable for holding a long weekend, the relationship between these figures could be a result of the Easter Holidays and Melbourne Cup public holidays.
[infogram id=”b16ae46d-0cb2-4475-a0f3-960a0eea8213″]In response to these statistics, the Easter Public holidays have become a renowned target for Police to crack down on the many causes of accidents on Victorian roads including drink driving, speeding and mobile phone use whilst driving.
Whilst Victoria’s annual road toll is declining with 2015 reflecting a 12.5% decline in the total number of lives lost on the road, the number of contributing deaths caused by motorbikes is on the rise. As a result of a tragic start to this year with the number of motorcycle deaths in February accounting for almost one third of motorcyclist fatalities for 2016, motorcycle crashes are currently responsible for 19.72% of road deaths in Victoria compared to 11.17% this time last year.
Victorian Police and road safety authorities are yet to find new trends to explain these tragic figures that are challenging Australia’s general decline in motorcycle deaths over the past ten years.
The 2012 Road Deaths Australia Statistical Summary released by the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) reports a 46.4% decrease in motorcyclist casualties per registered motorcycle over the past decade.
Comparatively however, the national rate of motorcyclist deaths per registered motorcycle remains at over five times higher than the national rate of occupant deaths per registered four-wheeled vehicle.
According to TAC (Transport Accident Commission Victoria), as of June 2015, more than 410,000 Victorians held a current Victorian motorcycle license or permit, making up approximately 9% of Victorian license holders.
[infogram id=”e1a38c12-61e5-4aba-b366-1fddc8a75ce9″]As we begin to move into the warmer months, more desirable riding weather is once again bring more motorcyclists onto Victorian roads. Whilst four wheeled vehicles have experienced significant advances in road safety and crash avoidance technology over the past few decades, motorcycles are struggling to keep up. As a result of this, increased responsibility for motorcyclists to wear the right protective gear all year round is becoming more important than ever if there is any of hope of stabilising the Victorian road toll for 2016.
Source: https://www.data.vic.gov.au/data/dataset/crashes-last-five-years
