HI VIZ VEST LAW 2

"WITHIN  18 MONTHS THE GOVERNMENT 
WILL LEGISLATE THAT 
ALL YOUR JACKETS 
HAVE GOT TO BE THIS 
COLOR." 

Snr Sgt Gore of Wangaratta in Victoria told a forum and the media what
the  current  Parliamentary  Inquiry  into motorcycle & scooter safety
would find. The inquiry ends in December 2012. Sans ifs or buts he was
quoted  saying  dayglo  jackets  for  road  riders  would be law in 18
months.

He  used  Ulysses  Club  members  to  give  his  theory  on compulsory
high-visability   vests for riders some credibility and the Wangaratta
Chronicle ran a picture story on June 22, 2012.

There is no evidence to suggest that hi viz clothing keeps riders safe
because  no  good  science  on  the  subject  has  ever  been  done in
Australian conditions. Road safety laws should be evidence-based.

IF  hi viz gear works, it is a minor contributor to bike safety. A far
greater  contributor  to  the  safety  of  all  vulnerable  road users
(pedestrians,  bicyclists and motorcycle & scooter riders) would be an
improvement  in  car  driver  awareness and behaviour. Most vulnerable
road user casualties are caused by car driver error.

It is likely that riders who take care to buy and wear hi viz gear are
careful road users generally.

That  kind of logic and the lack of good science on hi viz gear didn't
seem to trouble Sgt Gore. The law according to Gore.

"If you don't like this, stop riding motorcycles," he said.
 
"Within  18 months the government will legislate that all your jackets
have  got  to  be  this color."  Dayglo lime green!

Little  wonder  most  riders  feel  authorities  target  motorcyclists
unfairly.  To  many  riders  Sgt Gore's message was too similar to the
recent TAC campaign - BLAME THE VICTIM.

Independent  Riders'  Group spokesman Damien Codognotto OAM responded.
"I've  been riding in traffic since 1967. I wear darker colours on the
bike  and  I'm still here. Police will have to prove their theories in
court because I won't routinely wear a dayglo vest."

If  you  think  Sgt  Gore has exceeded his authority telling the media
that he believed it was inevitable the Victorian Road Safety Committee
would find for tougher bike laws and that hi viz vests would be law in
18 months, let Police Minister, Peter Ryan MP, know.

peter.ryan@parliament.vic.gov.au

Cc the Leader of the Opposition.

daniel.andrews@parliament.vic.gov.au

Damien Codognotto OAM
Spokesman
Independent Riders' Group
Melbourne

d.codognotto.oam@bigpond.com