POLICE are urging Tasmanian motorists to reflect on a horror 24 hours on the state's road and commit to travelling more safely. Four people are dead and two seriously injured after three separate crashes this weekend. Acting Assistant Commissioner Peter Edwards said it was the state's worst single day of road fatalities since nine died in July 2009. Investigations are continuing into a Lilydale crash yesterday afternoon that killed a Prospect couple. The pair were killed when their motorcycle was struck by a hay bale that fell from a passing truck. ''What we're asking for is any people who saw the motorcycle on Lilydale Road prior to the crash, and any people who saw a truck carting bales of hay on the Lilydale Road around the time of the crash,'' he said. Mr Edwards would not say whether the truck driver was assisting police with inquiries, or whether charges would be laid. ''It would be wrong of me to jump to conclusions because these things have to be investigated,'' he said. ''The investigation will go down all of those paths to see why the bale of hay fell off the truck.'' The crash came soon after two motorists died in single vehicle crashes within 11 hours. ''What I would like riders and drivers to do as a result of these tragedies is to reflect,'' Mr Edwards said. ''Every time you get behind the wheel or set out for a ride you take great responsibility. You're always carrying precious cargo - invariably that's you and other people who are passengers with you,'' he said. Reports on each death are being prepared for the coroner. Mr Edwards also expressed serious concern about a head-on Midland Highway crash that saw six people hospitalised. ''We've heard these stories too many times,'' he said. ''It does cause us a lot of grief to see these crashes which can be avoided.'' He would not be drawn on whether the crash highlighted the need to fast-track Midland Highway upgrades. MORE TO COME
POLICE are urging Tasmanian motorists to reflect on a horror 24 hours on the state's road and commit to travelling more safely.
Four people are dead and two seriously injured after three separate crashes this weekend.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Peter Edwards said it was the state's worst single day of road fatalities since nine died in July 2009.
Investigations are continuing into a Lilydale crash yesterday afternoon that killed a Prospect couple.
The pair were killed when their motorcycle was struck by a hay bale that fell from a passing truck.
''What we're asking for is any people who saw the motorcycle on Lilydale Road prior to the crash, and any people who saw a truck carting bales of hay on the Lilydale Road around the time of the crash,'' he said.
Mr Edwards would not say whether the truck driver was assisting police with inquiries, or whether charges would be laid.
''It would be wrong of me to jump to conclusions because these things have to be investigated,'' he said.
''The investigation will go down all of those paths to see why the bale of hay fell off the truck.''
The crash came soon after two motorists died in single vehicle crashes within 11 hours.
''What I would like riders and drivers to do as a result of these tragedies is to reflect,'' Mr Edwards said.
''Every time you get behind the wheel or set out for a ride you take great responsibility. You're always carrying precious cargo - invariably that's you and other people who are passengers with you,'' he said.
Reports on each death are being prepared for the coroner.
Mr Edwards also expressed serious concern about a head-on Midland Highway crash that saw six people hospitalised.
''We've heard these stories too many times,'' he said.
''It does cause us a lot of grief to see these crashes which can be avoided.''
He would not be drawn on whether the crash highlighted the need to fast-track Midland Highway upgrades.