More Top Stories

Court
Economy
Health

STI cases on the rise

2 September 2024

Economy
Economy
Court
Education

Motorcyclists not getting the message: Cops

Friday 24 December 2021 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Economy, National

Share

Motorcyclists not getting the  message: Cops
Police reported motorcyclists represented about 50 per cent of those involved in crashes during September. FILE PICTURE/21101122

Three motorcyclists aged between 27 and 61 were involved in separate incidents overnight on Wednesday, prompting more warnings from police.

Overnight, police issued fines to a 27-year-old male motorcyclist who was caught just after 9pm on the main road near ANZ Bank, using a cellphone while driving, and on a bike with no warrant and no annual licence.

After 11pm, police stopped another motorcyclist, a 34-year-old man, near CITC Supermarket, driving with no helmet and no headlight. 

He was taken to hospital for a blood specimen to be tested for alcohol.

A third motorcyclist, aged 61, was forbidden from driving his motorcycle at the Cook Islands Game Fishing Club.

“While a majority of people would happily rate themselves as being a good driver, what concerns the police most is the minority of poor drivers,” police spokesman Trevor Pitt said.

“The dangerous speedsters, noisy non-compliant motorbikes, no helmets, drunks, carelessness and the lack of concentration while on the road. 

“These are the drivers that pose unnecessary risks to themselves and to the innocent people who are also on the road. 

“As road users, we must all be vigilant about the 'other driver', as well as our own driving responsibilities.” 

Motorcyclists have been under the spotlight in recent months as police have reported multiple incidents involving irresponsible behaviour.

Police reported motorcyclists represented about 50 per cent of those involved in crashes during September, but overall, continued to be the more irresponsible when it comes to drinking and driving.

Police took the keys off more than 80 drivers as of the third quarter of 2021 (September).

Nearly 80 per cent of those forbidden drivers were motorcyclists. And more than 80 per cent of the reasons why, was alcohol consumption.

Over the course of the months February to August, 2021, there was no discernible pattern, but most key confiscations occurred between 11pm and 7am which accounted for 78 per cent.