Police release Operation "Gassit" for the GP
Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 10:48 am
1 September 2006
2006 MOTOR GP OPERATION LAUNCHED
The 2006 Moto Grand Prix at Phillip Island, which usually occurs in October, will this year take place on Sunday 17 September.
Police are reminding motorcyclists travelling to the event that some road closures from the snow season will still be in place at the time of this year’s Grand Prix.
Road Safety Advisor Senior Sergeant Bill Gore said every year, thousands of motorcyclists travel locally and interstate through Victoria to the Moto Grand Prix. A large majority of these traverse the Victorian High Country.
“The Grand Prix will occur in September and at this time hazardous road restrictions are still in place on roads crossing the Victorian snowfields due to snow fall,” he said.
“Police are asking motorcyclists to plan their trips around the snowfields to avoid any inconvenience. For safety reasons, no motorcyclists will be granted entry to the snowfields and they will be asked to turn around.”
Senior Sergeant Gore said police will again conduct Operation Gassit, which aims to enhance road safety conditions for motorcyclists who travel to the event.
“In 2004 there were two motorcyclist fatalities in this region and in 2005 there was one. All were travelling to or from the Grand Prix,” he said.
“The operation involves a highly visible police presence and combines resources from Regions 4 and 5 in an effort to ensure that motorcyclists travelling to Phillip Island do so in a reasonable and safe manner.
“While enforcement is one part of the operation, our primary aim is to get motorcyclists to and from the Grand Prix alive.”
Operation Gassit will run from September 13 to September 19.
This year, 25 motorcyclists have been fatally injured on Victorian roads, compared with 28 at the same time last year.
Two pillion passengers have also died this year, compared with none last year.
ENDS
2006 MOTOR GP OPERATION LAUNCHED
The 2006 Moto Grand Prix at Phillip Island, which usually occurs in October, will this year take place on Sunday 17 September.
Police are reminding motorcyclists travelling to the event that some road closures from the snow season will still be in place at the time of this year’s Grand Prix.
Road Safety Advisor Senior Sergeant Bill Gore said every year, thousands of motorcyclists travel locally and interstate through Victoria to the Moto Grand Prix. A large majority of these traverse the Victorian High Country.
“The Grand Prix will occur in September and at this time hazardous road restrictions are still in place on roads crossing the Victorian snowfields due to snow fall,” he said.
“Police are asking motorcyclists to plan their trips around the snowfields to avoid any inconvenience. For safety reasons, no motorcyclists will be granted entry to the snowfields and they will be asked to turn around.”
Senior Sergeant Gore said police will again conduct Operation Gassit, which aims to enhance road safety conditions for motorcyclists who travel to the event.
“In 2004 there were two motorcyclist fatalities in this region and in 2005 there was one. All were travelling to or from the Grand Prix,” he said.
“The operation involves a highly visible police presence and combines resources from Regions 4 and 5 in an effort to ensure that motorcyclists travelling to Phillip Island do so in a reasonable and safe manner.
“While enforcement is one part of the operation, our primary aim is to get motorcyclists to and from the Grand Prix alive.”
Operation Gassit will run from September 13 to September 19.
This year, 25 motorcyclists have been fatally injured on Victorian roads, compared with 28 at the same time last year.
Two pillion passengers have also died this year, compared with none last year.
ENDS