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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