Ambulance supports motorcycle safety launch

On Monday 28 April 2008, Motorcycling Australia launched their road safety campaign. This campaign aims to raise awareness about safe riding, wearing appropriate clothing and riding to the conditions. Of the 31,000 motor vehicle crashes attended by Ambulance last year, many involved motorcycles. All too often, paramedics treat motorcyclists who have been seriously injured as a result of not wearing appropriate safety gear/equipment, including a helmet. Motorcycle Paramedic Ryan Salter attended the launch to reiterate the campaigns important messages as well as giving a paramedics perspective on what he sees as mostly avoidable injuries.

“In almost every accident I have seen, it could have been avoided or the injuries significantly reduced if the rider had behaved differently prior to the crash or worn appropriate clothing” Ryan said.

Over the coming months a commercial featuring rider Chris Vermeulen will be launched across Australia as well as extensive print media to promote rider safety. I would like to thank Ryan Salter for his attendance and support of such an important issue. For further information regarding the launch go to www.ma.org.au or link to the media release.

Clare Pemberton
Acting Manager, Community Relations

Photo: Chris Vermeulen with Station Officer Ryan Salter at the launch

Ambulance is committed to assisting the community create safer and healthier environments and outcomes by making prevention everyone’s businesses. A number of innovative community education programs have been implemented to assist identify life threatening conditions, understand what to do in an emergency and the importance of adopting illness prevention strategies.