By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
THE death of a Narre Warren motorcyclist last week brought the state rider road toll to 23.
Ten days later, Victoria Police is sad to report that number has increased.
The state is experiencing the worst start to a new year in 10 years, with 24 motorcyclists dying on Victorian roads to date.
In the lead-up to the Easter break, police and the State Government have released written statements pleading with drivers to be safe, plan ahead and look after each other on Victorian roads.
Road Policing Assistant Commissioner, Doug Fryer, had 24 motorcyclists stand alongside him to represent the riders lost as he launched the long weekend road policing activities dubbed Operation Nexus.
So far the number of Victorian drivers killed is up on last year, at 15 and AC Fryer said it wasn’t a numbers game.
“We’re not talking about numbers, we’re talking about lives, about real people,” he said.
“These are fathers, brothers, uncles and sons, grandfathers, cousins, neighbours and friends, not just faceless helmets on the road.
“The one thing linking all of the fatalities on our road so far this year is the hardest part to rationalise – they all could have been avoided.”
Last year there were four fatalities during the Easter weekend and since 2011 there have been 16 fatal collisions resulting in 18 deaths during the annual event.
AC Fryer urged drivers not to become complacent, because that’s “when mistakes are made and tragedies occur.”
“Every long weekend, we say the same thing – don’t drink or take drugs and drive, don’t drive when tired, ensure you’re wearing a seatbelt and drive to the conditions and to your skill set,” he said.
“We need to come together on the roads and treat each other with respect and care – drivers, riders, pedestrians and cyclists alike.”
Operation Nexus was to run over the Easter break, until 11.59pm on Monday 4 April.
