Uneasy riders

By Tania Martin
POLICE have warned motorcyclists there will be zero tolerance for dangerous driving.
The warning comes as five motorcycles were impounded during the latest police operation targeting dangerous riding.
The latest operation was held on Sunday 9 and Monday 10 March during which more than 51 offences were recorded.
Senior Sergeant Steve Rosewarne of Yarra Ranges TMU said the results had confirmed that motorcyclists weren’t taking their own safety seriously.
“The Yarra Ranges is one of the highest in the state for serious motorcycle collisions every year,” he said.
Sen Sgt Rosewarne said police expected motorcyclists to slow down with an increased police presence, but that riders were still taking unnecessary risks with their own safety and other road users.
“Unfortunately, the results of this operation and others we have held in the area so far this year confirm to us that we need to keep targeting these issues,” he said.
Sen Sgt Rosewarne said motorists who visit the Yarra Ranges can expect to be caught by police if they are doing the wrong thing.
In the latest operation police handed out several penalty notices for offences including speeding 25km/h over the limit, dangerous driving, for exceeding the prescribed blood alcohol limit, for using fraudulent number plates, and for reckless conduct.
Sen Sgt Rosewarne said the motorcycles impounded by police in the latest operation were intercepted for excessive speeds ranging from 50-84 km/h over the 100km/h limit.
He said motorcyclists had one of the highest levels of vulnerability to sustaining injuries on the road, making it extremely important that they obey the road rules.
“We are extremely concerned by this reckless behaviour by motorcyclists on our roads,” he said.
“One small error of judgment could very easily turn to tragedy.”
Since starting the crackdown on motorcyclists, the Yarra Ranges TMU has impounded nine motorcycles since February.
So far this year 14 motorcyclists have died in Victoria, compared with seven at the same time last year.
Sen Sgt Rosewarne said the road toll was a frightening statistic, and although police were targeting speeding and dangerous riding, it was still up to the motorcyclists to take responsibility for their own safety.