Wear Appropriate Safety Equipment

Posted by Waikato Police on 23/01/2012

With two fatal motor cycle crashes in the Coromandel in four days Waikato Police are urging riders to ride to the conditions and ensure they have the right safety equipment, worn appropriately.

The call comes after Waikato Coroner, Peter Ryan, highlighted an issue with the most recent fatal crash on Friday in which a 47-year-old Taupo man died from serious head injuries in a crash on SH25 near Tairua.

The Coroner was still to determine the cause of the man's death however District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Leo Tooman, said any fatality is a tragedy but it is all the more tragic if a death has a degree of avoidability.

"The fact that this latest death comes just three days after the death of a 51-year-old female rider in the same area is all the more concerning so we're asking riders to ride to their experience levels and a part of that is ensuring you are equipped for the conditions and any unforeseen circumstances.

"Wearing a properly approved crash helmet can prevent avoidable head injuries and gloves, jackets and covered footwear all help to reduce injuries if the worst happens and a rider loses control and comes off their motor cycle. It's all about preventing road trauma."

Mr Tooman said the current Waikato road toll stood at four deaths from four crashes.

"And while the number of fatalities for the same period last year was seven there is no room for complacency as one crash at this time last year claimed three lives so the reality is we need to ensure we are all doing all we can to reduce the risk on our roads."