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BIKER'S DEATH IN WEEKEND OF CARNAGE PROMPTS POLICE SAFETY PLEA TO DRIVERS
The Press and Journal Susan Nicholson
08:50 - 18 September 2006
Proof that MAG is out there with the contacts:
A Weekend of carnage on the north-east Scotland's roads has left one biker dead and two seriously injured.
Police last night made a safety plea to motorcyclists, and other drivers, to slow down and take more care after the spate of crashes brought the region's road death toll for the year to 43. Out of the 43 fatalities, 10 have been motorcyclists.
Yesterday, a 31-year-old man was killed when his Yamaha R1 was in a collision with a silver Audi Quattro car and a yellow JCB. The victim, who is believed to be from the Insch area, was declared dead at the scene on the B9002 Insch to Kennethmont Road, near Glanderston, shortly after 1pm.
No one else was injured in the accident.
Just 15 minutes later, a 27-year-old man was seriously injured when his machine was involved in a collision with a car on the A93 Ballater to Braemar road, a mile west of Ballater. He was airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
The victim of a crash near Forres on Saturday was last night in a critical condition at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness. The 36-year-old, who was also transferred by air ambulance, came off his Suzuki GSXR on the A940 Forres to Grantown road at about 3.45pm. No other vehicles were involved in the crash at a junction with the unclassified Half Davoch road.
Speaking from the scene of yesterday's fatal collision, Grampian Police traffic Inspector Mike McDonald said all motorists had to take greater responsibility for road safety.
"It is extremely distressing to see the number of deaths on our roads rise again this weekend," he said.
"As we come towards autumn many motorcyclists will be out enjoying a last drive in the good weather. The majority are sensible and considerate, but there is a minority who drive too fast and I would appeal to them to slow down.
"However, road safety is everyone's business. All drivers need to make sure they are paying attention, driving safely and looking out for other road users."
George Riggeling, of Aberdeenshire Motorcycle Action Group, echoed Inspector McDonald's comments.
He said: "The message we put across to all our members is to ride in a safe manner and be aware of other traffic.
"What we find is that motorcyclists are very alert, but often other drivers don't pay enough attention.
"Sometimes car drivers can be admiring the scenery, not realising that an approaching motorcycle can travel significantly faster in terms of acceleration, and they misjudge a manoeuvre."
The previous weekend, two men were killed in a motorcycle collision in Aberdeen.
David Duncan, 35, and 33-year-old Victor Burnett were heading south on North Anderson Drive when their bike hit a tree early on Saturday.
Retired police officer Alan McDonald was killed at the same spot in May after colliding with a bus at a new junction farther up the road.
Police inquiries are continuing into the three crashes.
Witnesses are asked to contact Grampian Police on 0845 6005700, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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