dwasson
03-27-2006, 11:14 AM
Motorbike morons: Number's up for hoons like these
By TREVOR PADDENBURG
26mar06
POLICE say these riders are five of the biggest idiots on WA's roads – motorcyclists filmed doing staggering speeds and riding like lunatics.
The Multanova photos show bikers doing wheelies as they race past speed cameras at up to 181km/h – in some cases, with a pillion passenger on the back.
The shocking examples taken from police files in the past six months also show riders giving the finger and exposing themselves as they race past cameras.
Road-safety groups say these riders should have their bikes confiscated.
The State Government has not yet introduced laws to allow police to confiscate vehicles from people convicted of speeding recklessly.
Insp Neil Royle said the hoons were motorcycle morons with "the IQ of a house plant".
Insp Royle, who also rides a motorcycle, said it was just an arrogant minority of bikers who showed nothing but contempt for police and the motoring public.
In the worst case, a motorcyclist was clocked at 174km/h in a 70km/h zone, while doing a wheelie with a female passenger on the pillion in Hepburn Ave, Sorrento.
"It's probably his girlfriend on the back and he's supposed to be fond of her. Instead, he's lucky he hasn't killed her," Insp Royle said.
Multanova photos supplied to The Sunday Times show:
A rider travelling at 181km/h in a 110km/h zone on the Mitchell Freeway at Kingsley with a pillion passenger.
A rider doing a wheelie at 93km/h in a 70km/h zone on South St, Kardinya.
A rider giving the finger while he is clocked at 120km/h in a 70km/h zone on South St, Leeming.
A rider giving the finger while travelling at 144km/h in a 70km/h zone on Alexander Drive, Alexander Heights.
Insp Royle said similar incidents were occurring every week, despite police handing out a record number of fines to get speeders to slow down.
"They brag to their mates about it. It's a matter of contempt, a catch-me-if-you-can attitude," he said.
Many go unpunished because motorcyclists do not have a front numberplate and cannot be identified in Multanova photos.
But from June 1, new "owner onus" legislation will close that loophole, allowing police to use Multanovas to film motorbikes' rear numberplates.
WA Road Safety Council chairman Grant Dorrington said harsher penalties, including seizing bikes for months at a time, were the only answer.
Reckless bikers were on "suicide missions". "They hit someone at that speed, they're dead," Mr Dorrington said.
"They don't give a damn about themselves or anyone else on the road. Take their bikes off them."
But Motorcycle Industry Association spokesman Craig Marsland said seizing bikes was a narrow-minded approach.
"There's always someone out there who's got to show off. Let's educate them about the danger, not just whack fines on people and seize bikes," Mr Marsland said.
Premier Alan Carpenter said tougher anti-hoon laws to be introduced into Parliament would allow police to confiscate vehicles from people doing more than 45km/h over the limit.
Motorcyclists would lose their bikes for 24 hours for a first conviction
By TREVOR PADDENBURG
26mar06
POLICE say these riders are five of the biggest idiots on WA's roads – motorcyclists filmed doing staggering speeds and riding like lunatics.
The Multanova photos show bikers doing wheelies as they race past speed cameras at up to 181km/h – in some cases, with a pillion passenger on the back.
The shocking examples taken from police files in the past six months also show riders giving the finger and exposing themselves as they race past cameras.
Road-safety groups say these riders should have their bikes confiscated.
The State Government has not yet introduced laws to allow police to confiscate vehicles from people convicted of speeding recklessly.
Insp Neil Royle said the hoons were motorcycle morons with "the IQ of a house plant".
Insp Royle, who also rides a motorcycle, said it was just an arrogant minority of bikers who showed nothing but contempt for police and the motoring public.
In the worst case, a motorcyclist was clocked at 174km/h in a 70km/h zone, while doing a wheelie with a female passenger on the pillion in Hepburn Ave, Sorrento.
"It's probably his girlfriend on the back and he's supposed to be fond of her. Instead, he's lucky he hasn't killed her," Insp Royle said.
Multanova photos supplied to The Sunday Times show:
A rider travelling at 181km/h in a 110km/h zone on the Mitchell Freeway at Kingsley with a pillion passenger.
A rider doing a wheelie at 93km/h in a 70km/h zone on South St, Kardinya.
A rider giving the finger while he is clocked at 120km/h in a 70km/h zone on South St, Leeming.
A rider giving the finger while travelling at 144km/h in a 70km/h zone on Alexander Drive, Alexander Heights.
Insp Royle said similar incidents were occurring every week, despite police handing out a record number of fines to get speeders to slow down.
"They brag to their mates about it. It's a matter of contempt, a catch-me-if-you-can attitude," he said.
Many go unpunished because motorcyclists do not have a front numberplate and cannot be identified in Multanova photos.
But from June 1, new "owner onus" legislation will close that loophole, allowing police to use Multanovas to film motorbikes' rear numberplates.
WA Road Safety Council chairman Grant Dorrington said harsher penalties, including seizing bikes for months at a time, were the only answer.
Reckless bikers were on "suicide missions". "They hit someone at that speed, they're dead," Mr Dorrington said.
"They don't give a damn about themselves or anyone else on the road. Take their bikes off them."
But Motorcycle Industry Association spokesman Craig Marsland said seizing bikes was a narrow-minded approach.
"There's always someone out there who's got to show off. Let's educate them about the danger, not just whack fines on people and seize bikes," Mr Marsland said.
Premier Alan Carpenter said tougher anti-hoon laws to be introduced into Parliament would allow police to confiscate vehicles from people doing more than 45km/h over the limit.
Motorcyclists would lose their bikes for 24 hours for a first conviction