Tuesday 10 July 2012

HI VIZ VEST LAW 3
























------ 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

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