Saturday 27 September 2014

NEW LAWS IN VIC.

From the Melbourne Herald Sun?

If you are coming to the OZ GP at Phillip Island beware the statewide police blitz on bikes. A Dandenong Highway Patrol officer was quoted in the local paper saying. "My officers will be pulling up just about every bike they see."

It's already started. We are getting complaints about roadside lectures for doing absolutely nothing wrong. It's happened to me earlier this year. See earlier blog. And, if a rider queries a constable in this sort of situation the policeman will, too often, look for something utterly trivial to book the rider for.

The following Q & A was sent to me.

Damien Codognotto OAM
Independent Riders Group
Melbourne

Q. What have you done about your pledge to work towards resolving the current inequity that exists between motorcyclists and other road users where motorcyclists are not detected when committing traffic offences due to the lack of a front numberplate?
A. On August 2 this year, Victoria Police announced a tender process to deliver an upgrade to their mobile camera technology. Within the scope of this tender is the evaluation of technology that will capture front as well as rear licence plates.
Q. What have you done about increasing the penalty for obscured numberplates?
A. VicRoads is currently working with Victoria Police on a project looking at appropriate penalties for motorcyclists who do not display numberplates that are identifiable. We expect this project to be completed by the end of 2014.
Q. What have you done about encouraging the Federal Government to introduce an Australian Design Rule for ABS to be fitted on all new motorcycles sold in Australia?
A. Consultation is continuing with the Federal Government on the requirement for implementing an Australian Design Rule for Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) on motorcycles
Victoria will contribute funding to a project being undertaken by Monash University Accident Research Centre into the likely costs and benefits of introducing this standard on a national basis,
Q. What have you done about introducing a graduated licensing system for motorcyclists to help beginners develop critical riding skills under safe conditions?
A. Learner and newly-licensed motorcyclists will also have a safer start on the roads, with the phasing in of the new Graduated Licensing System, 1 October 2014.
This involves new or extended requirements for learners and newly licensed riders, including zero blood alcohol a ban on mobile phone use extended from 12 months to three years.
In a move to improve their visibility, novice, or newly licensed motorcyclists, will have to have their headlights on at all time, while learners will be required to wear high visibility vests.
The second stage of the rollout of the motorcycle GLS involves a new on-road test and enhanced training, which will come into effect from late 2015.
Q. What have you done about developing new education materials that highlight to motorcyclists the benefits of wearing protective clothing?
A. The TAC will investigate the need to redevelop its existing ‘Get Your Gear On’ brochure on protective clothing.
New information to be included in the brochure will be informed by the protective clothing testing pilot program. The pilot program, which is almost finished, involves testing the protective quality of motorcycle gear against the European standard.
The TAC will continue to promote the importance of wearing protective clothing at a number of motorcycling events including the Australian Moto Grand Prix, the Motorcycle Expo and the Victorian Road Race Championships.
Q. What have you done about introducing a mandatory requirement for motorcyclists and scooter riders to wear boots that are at least ankle high?
A. VicRoads is working towards finalising the requirements for mandatory footwear for motorcyclists and scooter riders, following consultation with motorcycle groups.




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