------ Forwarded Message
From: Desktop User <info@heavyduty.com.au>
Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2012 13:40:13 +1000
To: <peter.ryan@parliament.vic.gov.au>
Conversation: Re hi-vis clothing for motorcycle riding.
Subject: Re hi-vis clothing for motorcycle riding.
Dear Minister,
Can you explain if the quote from Sgt Gore in the Wangaratta Chronicle,
June 2012 is, in fact, Victorian government policy? Or is Senior Sgt Gore
allowing his personal feelings to dictate his statements?
After the disgraceful effort by the TAC to blame riders for the stupidity of
other road users, the infamous broken neck TV ad, can we expect Gore to
front a new series of expensive and pointless ads?
Is his quote, “If you don’t like this, stop riding motorcycles” to be the new
TAC slogan?
I believe the roads are there for all users, Minister. Will you be legislating
to force all pedestrians crossing the road to whip out their hi-vis vests
before stepping off the pavement?
And how is it that Senior Sgt Gore can predict the inquiry results, well
over twelve months before it is tabled in parliament?
I would appreciate some answers minister. I will be publishing this letter
in my magazine in September. It would be good if you replied.
Neale Brumby- EDITOR
HEAVY DUTY MAGAZINE
Published by: BONZA MEDIA PTY LTD
HEAVY DUTY MOTORCYCLE TOURS
LICENCED TRAVEL AGENCY #33002
PO Box 96 Ascot Vale VIC 3032
http://www.heavyduty.com.au
***************************************************
HI VIZ VESTS 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 must be evidence-based, not
opinion-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. A real crackdown on
in-car distractions would be a start.
It is likely that riders who take care to buy and wear hi viz gear are
careful road users generally and so crash less.
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."
------ End of Forwarded Message
No comments:
Post a Comment