Vic: Calls For Front Plates On Motorcycles To Aid Camera Detection

The issue of front number plates on motorcycles has reared its head in Victoria, but to considerable opposition from motorcycling groups.

New figures showing that numbers of riders are escaping speed camera fines is driving the push for front plates from both the police and road safety groups.

A report from Road Safety Commissioner, Gordon Lewis, says 69 percent of motorcyclists caught exceeding the speed limit by a roadside camera will never be issued with an infringement notice; compared with just four percent of cars.

More than 53,000 riders have avoided penalties in the last five years in Victoria, which the report says is due to the lack of frontal identification on their bikes.

Front number plates on bikes were scrapped in Victoria (and other states) over 30 years ago, as the sideways guard-mounted conventional metal plates of yesteryear were believed to be a major safety risk to both riders and pedestrians.

Since then, front styling on many modern motorcycles leaves virtually no room for even a sticker carrying the registration details; much less a motorcycle-sized number plate.

Victoria News