Geelong road toll double last year after death of biker on Great Ocean Road

A fatal crash on the Great Ocean Road has lifted the region’s 2016 road toll to double the figure for the same time last year.
Victoria Police said a motorcyclist died after colliding with a truck on a bend at Eastern View about 1pm Thursday.
The rider died at the scene.
The uninjured truck driver was assisting police at the scene when the Indy went to press.
Police had yet to release the rider’s name.
The crash closed the Great Ocean Road between Eastern View and Lorne as investigations continued.
The fatality was the 10th road death for greater Geelong and Surf Coast Shire this year and double the toll for both municipalities at the same time in 2015.
The death brought the Victorian toll to 231, up 13 per cent on 205 at 20 October 2015.
Victoria has recorded 44 motorcyclist deaths so far this year, up 24 on 2015.
Geelong’s Transport Accident Commission office has launched a rider safety promotion focussing on Moto GP fans heading to Phillip Island this weekend.
“We’re asking everyone heading to the island, regardless of whether you’re on two wheels or four, to be mindful of each other and plan your trips to get to and from the event safely,” said the TAC’s Samantha Cockfield.
“We’d like riders to demand ABS when shopping for their next bike because our research shows us it can reduce the rate of rider deaths and serious injuries by around 30 per cent.”
The focus on motorbike safety comes as the TAC promotes a Safe System supporting its Towards Zero campaign.
The system comprises four pillars – Safe Vehicles, Safe Speeds, Safe Roads, Safe People.
The Geelong Indy has joined forces with the TAC to explain the pillars with a series of stories over the next few weeks.
The first instalment, on this page, explains the importance of buying vehicles with modern safety features, such as side airbags, traction control and ABS brakes.