Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable on the road. If you’re a long-time rider, chances are you’ve been involved in at least one motorcycle accident in the past. Some of them may be minor but in case of a serious accident, quick medical attention could save your life. Hornsby Shire Council has worked with emergency services agencies to provide cards to NSW motorcyclists that contain vital information for paramedics that are called out to these kind of accidents. Here’s what you need to know.
Motorcyclist falls off bike image from Shutterstock
The cards that the Hornsby Shire Council are offering to motorcyclists in NSW are called CRASH cards and they’re placed in the lining of motorcycle helmets. On one side of the card, there’s the mnemonic CRASH, which is based on a set of questions used by ambulance service control centres. It focuses on safety, the location of the collision and how serious it is.
On the other side, the rider can fill out details of their medical history that is valuable to attending paramedics along with information on who to contact in case of an emergency. Motorcyclists that get a CRASH card should put a red dot sticker on their helmet visor so paramedics will know to look for the card.
The CRASH card scheme was introduced in the UK back in 2009. Hornsby Shire Council, in conjunction with NSW Ambulance, NSW Police Force and Fire & Rescue NSW, is the only council giving the cards out at this stage (due to the higher than average number of incidents involving motorcyclists in the local area). There are 10,000 up for grabs and they’re available to riders across NSW. More will be available at a later time.
It’s a great initiative to introduce to Australia although only a limited number of cards are available for distribution. Hornsby Council is working with the Centre for Road Safety for funding to roll out the cards with motorcycle registrations or licensing. The Motorcycle Council of NSW will also have CRASH cards available soon.
It would be great to see other local councils and state governments get on board for this CRASH card initiative.
If you’re a motorcyclist living in NSW, you can apply for a CRASH card through the dedicated Hornsby Council website which will go live on June 26.
Comments
6 responses to “Motorcycle CRASH Cards To Be Made Available To NSW Riders”
Isn’t it sometimes difficult / risky to take the helmet off? I carry my info in my wallet, which is always in my jacket pocket.
Paramedics are trained to remove the helmet carefully when possible.
Inside the helmet? and what if its a major accident, you shouldnt try to remove the helmet but keep the driver as still as possible?
When I did my senior first aid course, they recommended removing the helmet carefully as the rider may had bitten or swallowed his/her tongue and could be asphyxiating.
Not that this isn’t a good idea, and not that I’m ungrateful that Hornsby shore council are being proactive in promoting motorcycle road safety. But this scheme isn’t specific to motorcyclists. The CRASH mnemonic is relevant to road users, as is the medical history for paramedics. These should really be issued to drivers and cyclists as well probably wouldn’t hurt a pedestrian to carry one either.
I would really love to see government on any level doing more to raise awareness of how motorcyclists benefit traffic conditions and generally that we’re actually there.
I received my Crash Card this week.
This is a positive initiative, but not well thought through.
Not all helmets have a removable lining, so where does the card go?
In summer, the helmet lining can become very wet from perspiration. I don’t think that a thin piece of cardboard is going to last very long.
Why not have the card stored in a plastic sleeve and worn around the neck with a lanyard? Sure, the rider has to remember to put the lanyard on, but it will become habit just like putting on a helmet, jacket and gloves.