Brakes on bikers

By Tania Martin
POLICE are calling for motorcyclists to slow down after 30 were charged with speeding during a recent blitz.
The Yarra Ranges Traffic Management Unit held the blitz on the weekend of Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 January in an attempt to curb speeding.
Acting Sergeant Graeme Rust said that summer was the worst period in the Yarra Ranges for motorcycle collisions.
“Some of these fine weather riders don’t ride within their capabilities and then there are others that just think it is a better time to go even faster,” he said.
It was for these reasons that the TMU recently enlisted the help of Boronia and Dandenong regional TMU taskforces, and the Mt Evelyn Police for the operation.
Sgt Rust said it was hoped that an increased police presence in the area would help reduce the frequency and severity of motorcycle collisions.
During the operation, more than 30 riders were booked with eight losing their licences for one to 12 months.
Motorcyclists were detected riding at speeds ranging from 135-167 km/h in 100 km/h zones.
Sgt Rust said 44 driving offences were recorded by the 361 motorcyclists stopped during the weekend blitz. There was also one motorcycle crash. But Sgt Rust said it wasn’t just motorcyclists that were intercepted with 64 car driving offences also recorded.
He said the offences included drink driving, refusing to accompany police and speeding.
Sgt Rust said 26 drivers were charged with speeding after being clocked at 135 and 147 km/h in a 100 km/h zone.
He said police are just beginning what is expected to be a summer-long blitz on motorcyclists and speeding.
“I hope that our enforcement measures will curb the trend of motorcycle collisions in the Yarra Ranges,” Sgt Rust said.