Young rider backs new road safety campaign

By Tim Wilson A young Perth motorcyclist is urging fellow young riders to take heed of a new road safety campaign after almost losing his life on the road. While the $850 000 TV campaign announced this week by the State Government targets male riders aged 30 to 49, 20-year old Jamie Leopold wants younger riders to also learn the dangers. The series of ads, which begin airing this weekend to coincide with the Melbourne MotoGP, show a rider speeding towards small hazards such as puddles and loose stones on the road. “As a rider I know I’m vulnerable on the road,” Mr Leopold says. “I was about 30cm from being on the hood of a car going 80km/h and dying. That was the most terrified I’ve ever been in my life and it was my fault.” “The people who will really respect this (ad) are the sort of people who are already aware and acknowledge the dangers of speeding, especially on a motorcycle. I find that most older riders feel this way but it’s not so with younger riders.” “The only thing protecting you is a thick jacket and your helmet that’s something you should always be aware of.” Most motorcycle accidents last year didn’t involve another vehicle, latest figures reveal. “Speed makes small hazards become big hazards, increasing the danger for the motorcycle rider, their pillion passenger and other road users.” Road Safety Minister Michelle Roberts said at the launch of the Ride to Arrive campaign. “One motorcyclist death on our roads is one too many, and community education is a vital tool the State Government can use to save lives and reduce the number of motorcyclist deaths in WA.” [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQI71Rpvp6U?ecver=2]