Tasmanian motorcyclists have been reminded to take care with the joint release of coroner investigations into nine deaths on the state's roads in recent years.
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Spanning a 14-month period to March last year, the circumstances of the deaths vary but are attributed to a combination of speed, alcohol, drugs inattentiveness and unroadworthy vehicles, three of Tasmania's coroners wrote in a statement Friday.
An effort to "raise public awareness" around the motorcycle deaths in the state led to the decision to release the findings together. "Motorcyclists are are exposed to a significantly higher risk of death than other motorists," they said.
The circumstances of each death did not require the coroners' to make comments or recommendations, however after two investigations the reporting coroners stressed the risks associated with the vehicles.
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In the case of Aidan Denis Saltmarsh, who died after a crash at Margate in December 2017, chief coroner Olivia McTaggart wrote that her findings highlighted the "vulnerability" of motorcyclists when riding error or excessive speed combined with the consumption of alcohol or drugs.
Police at the time calculated the 36-year-old had been travelling 97km/h in an 80km/h hour zone, prior to sliding out while navigating a sweeping right-hand curve on the Channel Highway. Toxicological analysis found a blood alcohol level of 0.06, along with the presence of cannabis, codeine and anti-depressants.
Daniel Mollross died in February 2018 on Black Hills Road at Magra after his unroadworthy motorcycle - being ridden on the wrong side of the road at about 20km/h more than the speed limit - hit a car. Mr Mollross' blood alcohol level was at least twice the legal limit.
"Once again this death resulted from a fatal combination of speed and alcohol consumption on a motorcycle that was not roadworthy," coroner Simon Cooper wrote.
In all cases, the coroners offered their condolences to the families and loved ones.
As a government way take road safety very seriously.
- Health Minister Sarah Courtney
A spokesperson for the Road Safety Advisory Council echoed the coroners' sentiment. They highlighted the fact that though comprising about 4 per cent of registered vehicles in the state, motorcycles account for 18 per cent of crash deaths.
The lack of protection when compared to car drivers made motorcyclists vulnerable, they said. Though important, helmets are not "100 per cent" crash-proof and protective clothing should also be worn.
The spokesperson said inexperience was one of the major causes of motorcyclists death and injury - adding that changes to licencing in 2017 included a greater emphasis on practical skills.
"As a government way take road safety very seriously," Health Minister Sarah Courtney said Friday. She noted the government treated all coroner's reports seriously too.
"And indeed, in January last year, we actually started a new program specifically targeting motorcyclists to make sure that they've got the skills and training they need before they go out on the road."
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