By Tate Papworth
Motorcyclists using Brimbank roads can expect to be pulled over this summer – even if they’re not breaking any laws.
Brimbank Highway Patrol Sergeant Andy Oakley said officers would conduct a number of operations in the summer period, with a heavy emphasis on motorcyclists.
“One particular focus will be vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists,” he said. “We’ll be stopping every motorcyclist we see.”
Sergeant Oakley said motorcyclists were over-represented in accidents resulting in death or serious injury.
“In the past two years in Brimbank, we’ve had 12 fatal accidents and motorcyclists make up four of those,” he said.
“That’s a third of fatalities within the municipality and, it would be fair to say, motorcyclists don’t make up a third of road users. In each case, significant speeds in excess of 50 kilometres an hour over the limit were a factor.”
But motorcyclists won’t be the only target of police this summer.
Sergeant Oakley said a spike in number plate thefts would also be a focus.
“We’ll be running automatic number plate recognition operations,” he said.
“We’ve had a number of stolen motorcycles and number plates recently.
“A number of people have been arrested in recent weeks as a result.
“We’ll be putting a lot more effort into that over the summer.”
Police will also be conducting a high number of breath tests across the summer.
“Lots of people are breaking up for Christmas and we’d just like to remind people not to take stupid risks,” he said.
“There’s plenty of ride-sharing services available and we’d encourage people to utilise those.
“We’ll be out in force conducting a number of tests for drink and drug driving.
“We don’t want to see anyone putting their life or the life of someone else in danger.”
