It's a good policy. We need more uniformed cops to make up the pairs. Population growth means more cars so we need more cops on Victorian roads.
Damien
IRG
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/subscribe/news/1/index.html?sourceCode=HSWEB_WRE170_a&mode=premium&dest=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/fine-revenue-falls-road-toll-rises-as-victoria-police-highway-patrols-decrease/news-story/7c87979858d0dacfb9c7f89feb71b58e?&utm_source=Herald%20Sun&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=editorial&mid=2193493&memtype=registered
Wednesday, 31 August 2016
Monday, 29 August 2016
ELIZABETH STREET MOTORCYCLE PRECINCT
THE FAMOUS ELIZABETH STREET MOTORCYCLE PRECINCT IN MELBOURNE is affected by road works as the city grows. Works at the Flinders Street end of Elizabeth Street do not directly affect the bike area but they are part of a larger plan for the whole street. City planners want input.
Damien
Damien
Elizabeth Street South Streetscape Improvement Plan
The
City of Melbourne is commencing work on Elizabeth Street South
Streetscape Improvement Plan. The Plan will provide strategic
streetscape design ideas to improve the public realm at the southern end
of Elizabeth
Street and reinforce its role as a key pedestrian pathway and one of
Melbourne’s most significant city spines.
The project aims to:
·
Create a gateway to the city’s retail core.
·
Provide more room for pedestrians by reallocating
space in the street
currently used for the southbound vehicle
carriageway and parking, to better
reflect the current and future needs
of the street.
·
Improve the amenity of the street and accessibility by de-cluttering the space.
·
Provide a high-quality public realm at the southern end of Elizabeth Street.
A brochure which details the project rationale, its proposed stages and some preliminary ideas for the site can be found
here.
Throughout August we are gathering stakeholder feedback and comments to
help determine the extent of what is possible at this important and
complex site. We hope to present concept designs to the wider community
for feedback early in 2017.
Our Engineering Services team suggested that you and your organisation
may be interested in taking to the project team during this first stage
of the project. It would be great if yourself or a suitable colleague
could attend the following meeting to talk
about the project and help us to fully understand the complexities of
the site for cyclists and motorcyclists and
help ensure that the current and future user experience is fully understood in any proposed concept designs.
Steven Weir
Placemaking and Engagement
City of Melbourne
Saturday, 27 August 2016
LETTERS
"We really need motorcyclists to do everything they can - buy protective gear and a bike with ABS braking ..." said Sam from the Transport Accident Commission in the Sunday Age 28/8/2016.
That's a bit rich when the TAC taxes most bikes $70 plus with their so called safety levy. No other transport type is targeted like this. The tax is on top of the registration fee and the CTP insurance premium so most riders pay as much to ride as drivers do to drive a 4WD monster. And there's no discount for not claiming.
I'm a pensioner. In nearly 50 years on two wheels, mostly in Victoria, I have never made a CTP claim but I pay as much as a 25 year old who's claimed more than once on car crashes.
My latest bike is under 501 cc so I get a cheaper TAC premium, not much mind you. ABS tends to be on more expensive machines. I could use a new jacket and gloves but, on my income, they will have to wait.
The TAC tax hurts low-income earners. The 2012 Parliamentary Inquiry into Motorcycle Safety (PIMS)recommended the tax be abolished but the TAC ignores that recommendation and points to the "whole of government response" to PIMS which was written mainly by TAC and VicRoads.
If TAC wants to get serious about bike safety it should spend the tax already taken on positive bike projects, review CTP, introduce no-claim-bonuses and abolish this unfair tax.
Damien Codognotto OAM
Independent Riders' Group
Merlbourne
VICROADS - TAC - VICPOL FAIL TO PREVENT CRASH SPIKE
And as this situation has been allowed to develop VicRoads and the TAC have retained almost $3 Million dollars they collected in the name of a "safety levy" supposedly to protect motorcycle riders as vulnerable users, but they just kept the cash instead.
From an IRG Member -----Original Message----- From: Damien Codognotto [mailto:d.codognotto.oam@bigpond.com] Sent: Saturday, 27 August 2016 6:05 PM To: undisclosed-recipients: Subject: THREE MORE RIDERS DIE ON VICTORIAN ROADS MEDIA RELEASE 2016 has been a deadly year for Victoria's growing motorcycle & scooter community. Population growth and the increasing cost of owning a car means more Victorians will choose two wheels. It is clear that VicRoads/TAC/VicPol policies and campaigns have failed in 2016 and urgently need review. This terrible spike in bike deaths and injuries is not normal. See attached graph. Certainly more visible police are required. Certainly better road maintenance is required, particularly in rural areas. Animal strikes are a much bigger problem than VicRoads admits. Many factors contribute to the increase in road trauma in Victoria. One of the most serious is the lack of quality road safety science. VicRoads/TAC/VicPol are out of touch with rank and file road users. Road crash data identified as a serious problem for a decade by various Parliamentary Inquiries. The problem is systemic. Parliamentary Inquiries are regularly held by Road Safety Committees that include representatives from all political parties. DATA COLLECTION Without reliable data on road furniture, traffic flows, crash sites, maintenance & repairs and more, the real cost of roads and road trauma cannot be accurately calculated so effective countermeasures and infrastructure planning can't be done. 2005. CRASHES INVOLVING ROADSIDE OBJECTS “EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. Crashes involving roadside objects are a major road safety problem in Victoria, accounting for almost one-fifth of all crashes resulting in an injury or a fatality. ... The Committee noted a number of areas where crash information was missing or could be more detailed. The difficulty obtaining adequate data, in particular travel exposure information to better assess crash risk and target safety treatments, is a continuing issue in Victoria, coming up time and time again in Committee inquiries. Governments agree to improve crash information, yet crash and crash risk information continues to be an impediment to the improvement of roadside safety in Victoria. Crash information recording and publications need to be greatly improved. ... The Committee observed that there was no systemic approach or strategic plan to comprehensively address the problem of crashes involving roadside objects.” 2006. DRIVER DISTRACTION INQUIRY “CHAIR’S FOREWORD. ... One of the problems faced by the Committee during the Inquiry was the lack of clear definition and information systems which measure distraction and its’ role in crashes. The Committee calls on Victorian road safety authorities to develop clear definitions, categories and suitable crash data reporting in order to understand the extent of the problems and to develop appropriate countermeasures. ...” “EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. ... In view of the lack of suitable definitions,categorisations and suitable data, Victoria and most other Australian jurisdictions are not well placed to accurately assess the role of driver distraction on crashes. Recent studies in the United States, together with an ongoing study by the New Zealand Ministry of Transport, provide some insights into driver distraction impacts. Development of comprehensive crash data is a vital first step in guiding future Victorian road safety initiatives relating to driver distractions. 2012. INQUIRY INTO MOTORCYCLE SAFETY “EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. ... The first, and arguably most important theme was the lack of accurate and robust data, both for crashes and trauma. Many arguments, proposals and observations made in submissions and witness statements were based or justified on crash and trauma data. However, the significant data issues identified by the Committee meant much of the evidence presented to the Committee was difficult to verify. ... Addressing data issues is the single most critical aspect of our future response to motorcycle safety. ... RECOMMENDATION 1. That an independent Office of road safety data be created which will be responsible for collecting, collating, interpreting and publishing all data relevant to road safety ...” On Monday, May 16, 2016, Assistant Commissioner (police) Doug Fryer was quoted in the Melbourne Herald Sun. He was taking about the 28 motorcycle & scooter rider deaths to that date in 2016. “... Every one (death) has been investigated thoroughly and 86% were rider error. ...” The Independent Riders Group does not agree that the 86% figure is reliable. We have written to AC Fryer twice asking how police calculated this extraordinary statistic. Neither the email dated May 18, 2016 nor the letter dated August 5 answers our legitimate questions. Damien Codognotto OAM Spokesperson Independent Riders' Group (IRG) PO Box 4330 Doncaster Heights Vic 3109
THREE RIDERS DIE IN VICTORIA
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/four-fatal-crashes-on-swan-hill-oakleigh-coolaroo-narre-warren-north-roads/news-story/064996bdc205ee4de81b0ab71f663be1?&utm_source=Herald%20Sun&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=editorial&mid=2184027
Thursday, 25 August 2016
VIC DRIVING AGE
DATA COLLECTION
Without reliable
data on the performance of road furniture, traffic flows, crash sites, road
maintenance & repairs and more, the real cost of roads cannot be accurately
calculated nor can cost-effective planning be undertaken.
Reliable data, on
road furniture, driver distractions, motorcycles & scooters and too many
other things, is a scarce commodity in this state. The problem is well
documented in Parliamentary Inquiries are regularly held by Road Safety
Committees that include representatives from all political parties. The data
problem is widespread. It is systemic.
Submissions to
improve road data either fall on deaf ears or the organisation/person making an
unwelcome submission is vilified and deemed to have a bad attitude.
2005. CRASHES INVOLVING ROADSIDE OBJECTS
“EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.
Crashes involving roadside objects are a major road safety problem in Victoria,
accounting for almost one-fifth of all crashes resulting in an injury or a
fatality. ... The Committee noted a number of areas where crash information was
missing or could be more detailed. The difficulty obtaining adequate data, in
particular travel exposure information to better assess crash risk and target
safety treatments, is a continuing issue in Victoria, coming up time and time
again in Committee inquiries. Governments agree to improve crash information,
yet crash and crash risk information continues to be an impediment to the
improvement of roadside safetyin Victoria. Crash information recording and
publications need to be greatly improved. ... The Committee observed that there
was no systemic approach or strategic plan to comprehensively address the
problem of crashes involving roadside objects.”
2006. DRIVER DISTRACTION
“CHAIR’S FOREWORD. ...
One of the problems faced by the Committee during the Inquiry was the lack of
clear definition and information systems which measure distraction and its’
role in crashes. The Committee calls on Victorioan road safety authorities to
develop clear definitions, categories and suitable crash data reporting in
order to understand the extent of the problems and to develop appropriate
countermeasures. ...”
“EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.
... In view of the lack of suitable definitions,categorisations and suitable
data, Victoria and most other Australian jurisdictions are not well placed to
accurately assess the role of driver distraction on crashes. Recent studies in the
United States, together with an ongoing study by the New Zealand Ministry opf
Transport, provide some insights into driver distraction impacts. Development
of comprehensive crash data is a vital first step in guiding future Victorian
road safety initiatives relating to driver distractions.
2012. INQUIRY INTO MOTOERCYCLE SAFETY
“EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.
... The first, and arguablymost important theme was the lack of accurate and
robust data, both for crashes and trauma. Many arguments, peroposals and
observations made in submissions and witness statements were based or justified
on crash and trauma data. However, the significant data issues identified by
the Committee meant much of trhe evidence presented to the Committee was
difficult to verify. ... Addressing data issues is the single most critical
aspect of our future response to motorcycle safety. ...
RECOMMENDATION 1.
That an independent Office of road safety data be created which will be
responsible for collecting, collating, interpreting and publishing all data
relevant to road safety ...”
On Monday, May 16,
2016, Assistant Commissioner (police) Doug Fryer was quoted in the Melbourne
Herald Sun. He was taking about the 28 motorcycle & scooter rider deaths to
that date in 2016. “... Every one (death) has been investigated thoroughly and 86% were
rider error. ...” The Independent Riders Group does not agree that each
of these deaths was thoroughly investigated and the 86% figure is impossible.
We have written to AC Fryer twice asking how police calculated this
extraordinary statistic.
Neither the email
dated May 18, 2016 nor the letter dated August 5 answers our legitimate
questions.
The issue of road
safety data and unreliable statistics is raised here to highlight our opinion
that road maintenance budgets are unreliable and that funds are spent on
“showcase” projects while secondary roads are allowed to decline to unsafe
conditions.
Example: The
Lancefield / Sunbury road.
Example: The Great
Alpine Road.
The decline of roads
generally, and secondary roads in particular, increases commodity prices,
tourism income, commuters, insurers and the cost to the community of road
trauma.
Wednesday, 24 August 2016
ACT DRIVER TRAINING
Morning Damien, about time . . . check out this article! Copy
& paste, including link to Facebook?
AUGUST 23 2016 - 4:14PM
Vulnerable road users component added to ACT driver's licence tests
Katie Burgess - The Canberra Times - ACT News
Young ACT drivers will have to be able to prove they can share the road safely with cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians before they'll be granted a licence, the ACT government says.
From next Monday, people applying for learner permits or provisional licences must demonstrate they can drive around vulnerable road users or risk failing their test, the ACT's Road safety Minister Shane Rattenbury said on Monday.
"It's really exciting that more and more Canberrans are choosing to walk and cycle around Canberra. However, it's important that we ensure that our road rules can accommodate all road users safely, and that all road users are aware of these rules," he said.
Twenty extra questions will be added to the road rules knowledge test. Applicants must score 100 per cent on this section to gain their learner's licence.
During their practical driving test, learners going for their Ps must demonstrate they can navigate roads with bicycle lanes and move through areas of slow traffic where motorcyclists may be lane-filtering.
Applicants will be tested in areas frequented by cyclists and pedestrians, including shared zones, town centres, group centres, aged-care facilities and school zones.
Mr Rattenbury said the learner will also have to "recognise" the harm they could cause to pedestrians, cyclists or motorcyclists.
The bolstered tests are based on a study into vulnerable users funded by the NRMA-ACT Road Safety Trust.
"With this new vulnerable road user competency, the ACT government is taking the lead nationally to make sure new drivers develop skills in scanning, checking and interacting with pedestrians and cyclists including safe passing distances," said Dr Marilyn Johnson from the Monash University Institute of Transport Studies and co-author of the study.
Pedal Power executive officer John Armstrong said including skills specific to vulnerable road users in driver tests would encourage a positive culture change on Canberra's roads.
"The reality is there simply hasn't been the identification of these competencies in any driver test before. It's part of a cultural change to enable all road users to be mindful of other users and provide a good positive attitude from the word go," he said.
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/vulnerable-road-users-component-added-to-act-drivers-licence-tests-20160822-gqyd5b.html?eid=email:nnn-13omn573-ret_newsl-membereng:nnn-04%2F11%2F2013-news_am-dom-news-nnn-ctimes-u&campaign_code=13INO001&promote_channel=edmail&mbnr=MTM2NjQwMjc
AUGUST 23 2016 - 4:14PM
Vulnerable road users component added to ACT driver's licence tests
Katie Burgess - The Canberra Times - ACT News
Young ACT drivers will have to be able to prove they can share the road safely with cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians before they'll be granted a licence, the ACT government says.
From next Monday, people applying for learner permits or provisional licences must demonstrate they can drive around vulnerable road users or risk failing their test, the ACT's Road safety Minister Shane Rattenbury said on Monday.
"It's really exciting that more and more Canberrans are choosing to walk and cycle around Canberra. However, it's important that we ensure that our road rules can accommodate all road users safely, and that all road users are aware of these rules," he said.
Twenty extra questions will be added to the road rules knowledge test. Applicants must score 100 per cent on this section to gain their learner's licence.
During their practical driving test, learners going for their Ps must demonstrate they can navigate roads with bicycle lanes and move through areas of slow traffic where motorcyclists may be lane-filtering.
Applicants will be tested in areas frequented by cyclists and pedestrians, including shared zones, town centres, group centres, aged-care facilities and school zones.
Mr Rattenbury said the learner will also have to "recognise" the harm they could cause to pedestrians, cyclists or motorcyclists.
The bolstered tests are based on a study into vulnerable users funded by the NRMA-ACT Road Safety Trust.
"With this new vulnerable road user competency, the ACT government is taking the lead nationally to make sure new drivers develop skills in scanning, checking and interacting with pedestrians and cyclists including safe passing distances," said Dr Marilyn Johnson from the Monash University Institute of Transport Studies and co-author of the study.
Pedal Power executive officer John Armstrong said including skills specific to vulnerable road users in driver tests would encourage a positive culture change on Canberra's roads.
"The reality is there simply hasn't been the identification of these competencies in any driver test before. It's part of a cultural change to enable all road users to be mindful of other users and provide a good positive attitude from the word go," he said.
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/vulnerable-road-users-component-added-to-act-drivers-licence-tests-20160822-gqyd5b.html?eid=email:nnn-13omn573-ret_newsl-membereng:nnn-04%2F11%2F2013-news_am-dom-news-nnn-ctimes-u&campaign_code=13INO001&promote_channel=edmail&mbnr=MTM2NjQwMjc
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