April 27, 2012.
THE HON TED BAILLIEU
Premier of Victoria
Level 1, 1
Treasury Place,
Melbourne 3000.
Dear Premier,
As Victorians tighten their belts in tough
times and our ambulance crews and patrol police are under-manned our Transport
Accident Commission (TAC) throws money away.
The latest shock anti-motorcycle
TV ad is a disgrace. It is more about TAC's image than motorcycle safety.
Aside from distressing road
trauma victims' loved ones there is no evidence to suggest these types of ad
reduce casualty crashes. TAC ignores
the fact that the majority of pedestrian, bicycle, motorcycle and scooter
injuries and deaths are caused by car driver error.
To the best of our knowledge TAC
did not consult widely before going ahead with this ad. Focus groups are a marketing
tool not real research. This is about Victorian's lives not selling a new brand
of biscuits.
The TAC is a monopoly with a
compulsory product. It has no need of a glossy corporate image, sporting
sponsorships or expensive media campaigns. Surplus funds from our vehicle
insurance should be invested in better rehabilitation for crash victims,
improving our ambulance service, reducing premiums for safe drivers/riders and
encouraging environmentally-friendly vehicles.
The Board of the TAC has bankers and
administrators but no one experienced or qualified in transport or road safety,
let alone motorcycle and scooter safety. We have raised this matter with the
Minister responsible for the TAC and suggested suitable, qualified people for
the TAC Board. When will this TAC imbalance be corrected for the good of all
Victorian road users?
Sincerely,
Cc The Hon David Davis
Damien Codognotto
OAM
INDEPENDENT RIDERS'
GROUP
P O Box
3091, East Doncaster,
Vic. 3109.
Tel: 03 9846 8621. Email: d.codognotto.oam@bigpond.com
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