North Waikato motorbike stop eerily similar to Coromandel fatal

 

Waikato Police are crediting the stopping of a speeding motorcyclist as a potentially lifesaving intervention and say disturbingly- there were too many similarities with a fatal bike crash the day before.   District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Freda Grace, said officers today returned to the scene of Saturday’s fatal crash between a motorcycle and a car on SH25/ Whangapöua Rd in the Coromandel.   “They are continuing to examine the scene of the crash that claimed the life of 54-year-old Kumeu man, David Charles SAVERY.   “The crash is still under investigation but initial indications are Mr SAVERY lost his life after his 900cc Triumph Bonneville motorcycle crossed the centreline and collided with an oncoming SsangYon car as it rounded a corner.”   Mrs Grace said of particular concern for Police was the issue of Mr SAVERY riding a 900cc motorcycle despite only being in possession of a learner’s motorcycle license.   “This is a real worry when you consider 14 motorcyclists lost their lives on Waikato roads last year. Learner riders are supposed to restrict themselves to what is known as Leaner Approved Motorcycles (LAMs) which are generally rated under 600cc.   “The industry has been really supportive in regards to putting a number of motorcycles out in LAM and fully powered versions. Unfortunately what my staff are finding is a lot of new or returning riders are overly confident and riding bikes that are too far beyond their experience and capabilities and coming to grief on our winding Coromandel roads.”   Mrs Grace said an example of this occurred less than 24 hours later when a learner licensed motorcyclist was stopped after being recorded travelling at 162km/h on the Waikato Expressway.   “Ironically he was stopped after our staff followed him on his Kawasaki 900cc into the Hampton Down race track- the only place where riders and drivers should be travelling that fast.   “The 54-year-old rider was particularly upset about having his license suspended for 28 days and blamed Police for ‘ruining’ his life. Instead he should be thanking our officer for potentially saving it.”   Mrs Grace said the risks weren’t being overstated when considering the contributing factors from fatal crashes in 2015.   “Last year there were 12 fatal crashes involving motorists in breach of their graduated drivers’ licenses or court imposed sanctions and six were motorcyclists. In the weekend’s two incidents we had two male riders the same age on bikes of the same CC rating who were both breaching their learner licenses.    One lost his license while the other lost his life. Already this year five people have died on Waikato roads in three crashes. That’s the same number of fatalities for the whole month of January 2015 and we’ve still got Auckland Anniversary Weekend to go.    “We’ll be maintaining a highly visible presence on our roads over the coming holiday weekend and what we’re asking is for drivers and riders to know their limits. We’ve already seen that riding to impress can lead to a lot of stress- or even worse. So know your limits and stick to them.”    End