Police push the education line

Over 800 motorcyclists and vehicle drivers were recently intercepted by Victoria Police as part of Operation Yellow Flag Black Flag to coincide with the Phillip Island world superbike round.

During the three-day operation, police spoke to 699 motorcycle riders and 117 vehicle drivers, with the refreshing message more about safety outcomes and education rather than punitive measures.

"It's absolutely crucial to the safety of motorcyclists that both they and other road users are aware of their responsibilities and make sure they share the road appropriately," said Acting Superintendent Gerry Zammit. "It's absolutely crucial to the safety of motorcyclists that both they and other road users are aware of their responsibilities and make sure they share the road appropriately," he said.

"Operation Yellow Flag Black Flag allows police to speak to a whole range of motorists about this and also enforce the law where necessary.

"We are really happy that the majority obeyed the road rules, with only 35 motorcyclists and 16 drivers receiving infringement notices for a number of different offences.

"It's always refreshing for police to conduct an operation such as this one where we are intercepting a high number of road users, but the number of infringements we are detecting is very small.

"I'm sure most motorists and motorcyclists would agree that they'd prefer to be pulled over by a police officer for a quick safety discussion rather than being handed a piece of paper that will see them several hundred dollars and demerit points lighter."

Operation Yellow Flag Black Flag was a part of The Community Policing and Education Project, which is a joint initiative between Victoria Police and the Victorian Motorcycle Advisory Committee (VMAC), is designed to reduce the number of fatal and serious injury collisions involving motorcyclists.