Bloody Sunday
Newcastle Herald
Tuesday April 27, 2004
THE Ulysses Motorcycle Club has warned Hunter riders to be on their guard after new research showed more accidents occur on the region's roads on Sundays than any other day.
Leading motorcycle insurer Swann Insurance said yesterday that 18.9 per cent of motorcycle accidents occur on Sundays, and 16.8 per cent on Saturdays due to the many ``weekend warriors" on the roads.
That is well above the 12 per cent on the ``safest" day, Tuesday.
But Ulysses Lake Macquarie club secretary Ian Parks said while most accidents happened on weekends, it didn't make riders immune to the many dangers of motorcycles during the week.
Swann Insurance general manager Duncan Brian said the increased number of accidents on weekends was probably caused by the high number of recreational riders on the roads, who were often less experienced.
``A significant segment of people riding on Saturdays and Sundays are weekend warriors mature-aged men and women who ride motorcycles as a hobby," Mr Brian said.
``Weekends aren't a time for motorcyclists to relax. They're a time to be vigilant, anticipate risks and above all, take care."
Mr Parks said the Ulysses Motorcycle Club encouraged its members to take advanced driver training courses and to ride in the safety of a group.
``The club is aware we get riders who have had long breaks since getting their bike licence or have never driven before and we take it very seriously," Mr Parks said.
``We have safety chats before going on a ride and tell our members not to ride beyond their capabilities, to stay with us, and let us know if they go a different way."
Ulysses member Dave Sutherland, of Barnsley, returned yesterday from an Anzac Day long weekend ride to Gulgong.
``It doesn't really matter what day of the week it is, you have got to have eyes in the back of your head and keep an eye on car drivers," Mr Sutherland said.
DAILY RISKS
Worst Day For Motorcycle Accidents
Day Proportion of accidents
Sunday 18.9%
Saturday 16.8%
Friday 14.1%
Thursday 13.3%
Monday 12.5%
Wednesday 12.4%
Tuesday 12%
Source: Swann Insurance
© 2004 Newcastle Herald
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