The Spurs
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 10:54 am
For those looking to go for a fang on the weekend, strongly recommend you AVOID the spurs.
AN AUSTRALIA Day weekend blitz on Yarra Ranges roads saw hundreds of motorcyclists and drivers intercepted by police as part of Operation Yellow Flag Black Flag.
Police spoke with 623 motorcyclists and 144 drivers found riding or driving in an unsafe manner, as part of the traffic operation, which focused on high-risk rider and driver behaviour.
The blitz, involving 15 motorcycle officers and other police, followed the deaths of a Mooroolbark couple after their motorcycle and another collided head-on on the Maroondah Highway at Fernshaw, north of Healesville on January 7.
Region 4 traffic Inspector Geoff Davey said the Yarra Ranges was selected for the operation due to the area’s high rate of motorcycle road trauma. “Yarra Ranges is known to be a high-risk area for motorcycle riding and, given the recent deaths, we had the operation there to raise awareness among all road users,” Insp Davey said.
As part of the weekend blitz, police issued eight speeding fines, charged 19 people with unlicensed driving, came across six unregistered vehicles and caught four motorists crossing double white lines.
Insp Davey said police used their discretion in issuing fines to road users found acting in an unsafe manner, but those who committed more serious offences were fined and he hoped the use of motorcycle officers would help get the message through.
Assistant Commissioner Ken Lay said Operation Yellow Flag was the first component of the statewide Community Policing and Enforcement to Reduce Motorcycle Road Trauma Program, which will run for two years and aim to cut the number of motorcyclists killed or injured on the roads. “We are going to be working hard to better educate both groups about their responsibilities on the roads and what can happen when risky behaviour goes wrong,” Mr Lay said.
Insp Davey said Operation Yellow Flag Black Flag followed a strong effort by local police officers over the past year to reduce the motorcycle road toll.
AN AUSTRALIA Day weekend blitz on Yarra Ranges roads saw hundreds of motorcyclists and drivers intercepted by police as part of Operation Yellow Flag Black Flag.
Police spoke with 623 motorcyclists and 144 drivers found riding or driving in an unsafe manner, as part of the traffic operation, which focused on high-risk rider and driver behaviour.
The blitz, involving 15 motorcycle officers and other police, followed the deaths of a Mooroolbark couple after their motorcycle and another collided head-on on the Maroondah Highway at Fernshaw, north of Healesville on January 7.
Region 4 traffic Inspector Geoff Davey said the Yarra Ranges was selected for the operation due to the area’s high rate of motorcycle road trauma. “Yarra Ranges is known to be a high-risk area for motorcycle riding and, given the recent deaths, we had the operation there to raise awareness among all road users,” Insp Davey said.
As part of the weekend blitz, police issued eight speeding fines, charged 19 people with unlicensed driving, came across six unregistered vehicles and caught four motorists crossing double white lines.
Insp Davey said police used their discretion in issuing fines to road users found acting in an unsafe manner, but those who committed more serious offences were fined and he hoped the use of motorcycle officers would help get the message through.
Assistant Commissioner Ken Lay said Operation Yellow Flag was the first component of the statewide Community Policing and Enforcement to Reduce Motorcycle Road Trauma Program, which will run for two years and aim to cut the number of motorcyclists killed or injured on the roads. “We are going to be working hard to better educate both groups about their responsibilities on the roads and what can happen when risky behaviour goes wrong,” Mr Lay said.
Insp Davey said Operation Yellow Flag Black Flag followed a strong effort by local police officers over the past year to reduce the motorcycle road toll.
