By Callum Ludwig
As we near the end of Motorcyclist Awareness Month this October, there’s one small stop riders can make to help improve their chances of survival in the event of a collision.
Motorcycle CRASH cards are available to pick up at VicRoads customer service centres, select Victoria Police stations and motorcycle training providers across the state and can provide critical information for emergency responders.
In the Yarra Ranges, the only locations stocking crash cards are the Healesville and Warburton police stations while Ride-Tek Motorcycle Training Academy in Hallam or Cranbourne police station may be the closest point of access to CRASH cards for Hills residents currently.
“Sadly, motorcycle riders and their passengers are over-represented when it comes to fatalities and serious injuries on our roads,” a Department of Transport and Planning (DOTP) spokesperson said.
“The motorcycle CRASH card in Victoria helps us provide the best trauma care possible in the event of a crash, and reduce serious injuries and deaths of motorcyclists on Victorian roads.”
The CRASH card is a small self-laminated card with a form that riders can fill out with their personal details, emergency contact information and any health conditions before placing it in the line of their helmets.
The rider places a red sticker that clearly identifies to emergency responders that a crash card is inside, saving time in and assisting emergency services even more so if the rider is unconscious or unable to communicate. Emergency responders are trained to be able to remove rider’s helmets safely to access the card.
The CRASH card concept was formed in the UK and the DOTP developed the localised version of the card in collaboration with Victorian motorcycle riders, their Motorcycling Community Engagement Panel, Ambulance Victoria and the trauma units from The Alfred and Royal Melbourne hospitals. The DOTP welcome any suggestions from riders on locations to stock more CRASH cards and a representative of a local police station encouraged their use.
According to the DOTP, Motorcycles make up only four per cent of registered vehicles, however, motorcyclists account for 16 per cent of deaths on Victorian roads. According to the TAC, 55 motorcyclists have been killed on Victorian roads this year as of midnight on 24 October 2024, up by 16 from the same time in 2023.
To set up your CRASH card:
Fill out your personal and medical information before removing the crash card from the brochure.
Gently peel the personal details layer of the card from the brochure, leaving the second layer in the brochure and exposing the adhesive surface.
Flip the card and carefully place it back onto the adhesive surface where the card was removed.
Pop the completed card out of the brochure by pushing carefully.
Place the crash card in your helmet under the lining.
