In May 2002, the Victoria Police Major Collision Investigation Group (MCIG) commenced a l2-month in-depth study into motorcycle collisions involving life- threatening injuries and fatalities within Victoria. The aim of the study was to identify the likely factors that may contribute to these collisions, with the view to developing effective strategies and countermeasures to reduce the motorcycle death and serious injury toll. It was considered that physical attendance of the MCIG investigators at every serious (fatal or life-threatening) motorcycle collision scene would enable them to make an objective thorough assessment of major contributory factors implicated in those crashes. The study was commissioned in February in view of the importance of gathering enhanced crash data, for the purpose of establishing the true causative factors (vehicle, human, and environmental) in motorcycle fatalities. This issue was addressed in response to communicated concerns from the motorcycle lobby groups regarding the credibility of police assessments of the motor cycle collisions and their causes. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting