Hon Michael O'Brien
Minister for Employment, Training & Further Education
Minister for Road Safety
Minister for Science and Information Economy
Monday, 14 December 2009
AUSTRALIAN FIRST MOTORCYCLE BARRIERS FOR GORGE ROAD
New roadside motorcycle barriers – the first of their kind in Australia - are being installed along a two kilometre stretch of Gorge Road at Cudlee Creek near the Kangaroo Creek reservoir in the Adelaide Hills.
Road Safety Minister, Michael O’Brien says the barriers extend the traditional steel beam safety guard rails used on roadsides to cover exposed posts and gaps and reduce the severity of injury should a motorcyclist be involved in a crash.
“The technology works on the principal of absorbing and distributing the impact of the crash on riders,” Mr O’Brien said.
“South Australia will be the first Australian State to install the BASYC Protection System which is used in several cities in Spain, including Madrid.
“Motorcyclists deaths comprise 9 per cent of all road fatalities in SA each year and 8% of serious injuries, yet they account for less than 1 per cent of total kilometres travelled by vehicles on our roads.
“Last year in South Australia there were 17 fatalities and 186 serious injuries and 669 total casualties from motorcycle crashes in SA, costing the Compulsory Third party (CTP) Insurance Fund just under $43 million in the past year alone, and more than $185 million over the past five years,” Mr O’Brien said.
The two kilometre stretch of Gorge Road at Cudlee Creek was identified as a priority following 6 crashes (five involving motorcycles) between January 2004 and December 2008 resulting in 3 fatalities, 2 serious injuries and 2 minor injuries.
Spanish experts on the system are working with the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure on the installation of the barriers.
The BASYC system is of benefit to all road users as the flexible mesh barrier absorbs the energy of impacts .An initial section is being installed today with the project to be completed early in the new year.
The installation of the new barriers comes as the Motor Accident Commission promotes its new motorcycling safety campaign featuring former world champion, Mick Doohan.
For further information visit www.dtei.sa.gov.au/roadsafety
News Release
www.premier.sa.gov.au