VicRoads to overhaul pothole inspections after fatal motorcycle accident

VicRoads will put the state’s potholes under the microscope as the roads authority overhauls its inspections following a horrific motorcycle accident that killed a Victorian couple.

Mark Rodgers and Jodi Andrews were killed after their motorcycle hit a road defect and veered into an oncoming police car.

VicRoads will put the state’s potholes under the microscope as the roads authority overhauls its inspections following a horrific motorcycle accident that killed a Victorian couple.

Staff are undergoing new training on how to spot the potentially deadly defects, particularly on tight bends.

It comes after the Coroner found inspectors missed a hidden bump in the road that caused Ringwood father-of- three Mark Rodgers, 47, and partner Jodi Andrews, 42, to crash in 2015.

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The couple was killed after their bike suddenly veered into oncoming traffic on the Great Alpine Rd in East Gippsland and collided with a police car.

Another motorcyclist had a serious crash in the same spot near Ensay less than 24 hours before the couple was killed, prompting an investigation by the state Coroner.

In the findings, the Coroner found flaws in the state’s road maintenance inspections that left motorcyclists particularly vulnerable.

Mark Rodgers and Jodi Andrews were killed after their motorcycle hit a road defect.

As a result, VicRoads has started a new training program that will focus on hazards for motorcyclists, such as small potholes and bumps, especially on country roads.

VicRoads safe system road infrastructure program director Scott Lawrence said the program would be implemented by mid-year and would save lives.

“The death of anyone on our roads is a tragedy and our thoughts are with Ms Andrews’ and Mr Rodgers’family,’’ he said.

“In 2016, VicRoads established a $2 million enhanced maintenance program on ­motorcycle touring routes funded by the Motorcycle Safety Levy. This included identifying and addressing ­potential hazards for motorcyclists such as potholes and bumps, vegetation that blocks a rider’s vision as well as generally improving the road surface

“We’re committed to increasing the safety of all road users, particularly motorcyclists, who are more vulnerable in a crash.’’

The changes are being welcomed by motorcycle groups, especially after several horror years on our roads for riders.

The changes are being welcomed by motorcycle groups, especially after several horror years on our roads for riders.

Almost one in 10 driver’s ­licence holders also have a ­motorcycle licence in Victoria, but they represent a much higher proportion when it comes to the state’s road toll.

Last year alone, 38 motorcycle riders and passengers died, and half of the deaths were on regional roads.

This followed a surge of deaths in 2016, which prompted police and road safety authorities to search for reasons for the spike.

The deaths — mostly men aged 18 to 75 — led to several campaigns to raise motorcycle safety awareness among both motorcyclists and other road users.

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