HI VIZ LAW 5

www.parliament.vic.gov.au/rsc/inquiries/article/1407

Wednesday, July 11, 2012,  4:04:11 PM,  Aussie Sadler wrote:

Peter Ryan MP
Minister for Police
Victoria

Dear Peter Ryan,

Snr Sgt Gore of Wangaratta Highway Patrol was quoted as saying at a forum, "Within 18 months the government will legislate that all your (motorcyclists') jackets have got to be this colour." That is dayglo lime green. I don't know on what authority he states this, but I would like to know the research behind his statement. A compulsory "lights on" law with its' horrific legal ramifications and lack of research was thrown out some years back. Seems it's a case of  "Here we go again."

In my forty six years fo riding motorcycles I have never been involved in a car/bike accident. Initially, believing in the "Be seen, be safe" moto, I wore a bright yellow jacket and had my light on at all times despite  doing electrical damage to my early model motorcycle which was not suitably designed. I found that drivers generally treated me with disregard at best and at worst, blatant aggression.

Following a near miss with a car crossing on my left in front of me AFTER we made eye contact, I reviewed my strategy on the grounds that everyone sees and respects a black leather clad outlaw bikie. Since then I have worn dark leathers and momentarily turn the light on and off at my discretion when a situation calls for it. Coupled with a philosophy of, "Regard a;ll car drivers as idiots" I'm still happily riding. I guess one could say that I have done my own unintentional research.

Snr Sgt Gore goes on to say that motorcyclists should do everything in their power to see they don't fall off.
I couldn't agree more. However I fail to see what dayglo jackets have to do with this statement. He also says, "If you don't like this, stop riding motorcycles." With such beligerence one could question his ability to uphold the law in a fair and just manner.

I don't need him to tell me what to wear or how to ride a motorcycle any more than he needs me to tell him how to be a policeman. Having said this, maybe some public relations counselling might not go astray.

I would actually support less cameras and more police on our roads as well as more comprehensive rider AND driver training as is practiced in a number of European countries. I couldn't believe the respect and road courtesy displayed when I was over there.

I sincerely hope that Snr Sgt Gore is wrong in his forecasting this totally dictatorial, discriminating, useless law. I for one will face court action sooner than abide by it and I certainly won't be giving up riding my motorcycle!

Yours

Aussie Sadler
Mornington,
Vic.       3931.

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IRG SEEKS SUPPORTERS

The Independent Riders' Group began signing supporters on July 1, 2012. The IRG began in 2007 as a response to the lack of an organisation that represented ordinary road riders in Victoria. Transport Accident Commission surveys indicate that only 20% of riders are club members. By becoming an IRG supporter you let road authorities know that you ride and you vote and you are sick of restrictive, discriminatory laws and taxes. IRG supporters are mainly involved online.

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/abolish-tac-antibike-tax.html

The IRG is independent and national. Its' aims are the same as the original MRA which we started in Melbourne in 1978. The IRG is run by me, Damien Codognotto OAM with a tight group of supporters.

We are currently developing a list of draft policies which supporters will be able to vote in or out by email or letter. An example would be. The IRG opposes compulsory high-visibility clothing for Australian motorcycle & scooter riders. Another would be. The IRG opposes the use of wire rope barriers on Australian roads because they are an unacceptable hazard for motorcycle & scooter riders and they do not stop larger vehicles.

http://www.banwirebarriers.org/index.php

We are also developing a website at:

www.independentridersgroup.com.au

Our prefered online forum is:

melb-moto@yahoogroups.com

The IRG will raise funds through sale of merchandise, donations and proceeds from events.

The IRG logo is the Australian wedge-tailed eagle. Stickers cost $1 for a 4cm sticker and $2  for an 8cm sticker.
Send a cheque or money order made out to the Independent Riders' Group
at PO Box 4330, Doncaster Heights, Victoria 3109.

It costs nothing to become an IRG supporter. Just email us your name, post code and email address and you will go on our email list for five years. The list is confidential. We will use the post code to target marginal seats at elections. You can withdraw from the IRG list at any time.

Damien Codognotto OAM
IRG 1

HI VIZ VEST LAW 4

Good evening Damien

If you could post this it would be appreciated you can leave the id as i always stand by what i write

IRG, i am on your blog is there another as i thought that was IRG Independant Riders Group

my mistake if that is not correct i will support any group that tries to keep the Authorities honest

Cheers & Respect
Prickle


On 7/11/2012 8:45 PM, Damien Cognotto OAM wrote:


Many thanks.

Can I put your email on my blog? I can remove your ID if you like.

Hi Damien 

Its seems the greater rider community are angered, justifiable so, when statements such as Snr Sgt Gore made in this article say the way to reach Zero Fatalities is to remove the motorcyclists from the road. All that is achieved by the mandatory wearing of Hi-Vis is that there will be revenue raised. This is within lines of the police being seen as tax collectors and there history would be kept intact as was the case back at the Eureka Stockade days of the past. 

As has been stated, there is no evidence that that Hi-Vis would actually reduce the fatalities of motorcyclists, cause as the Government own statistics state the majority of motorcyclist fatalities are single vehicle accidents, so who there to see the Hi Vis, as always the Governments enact legislation without any credible evidence. 

Governments are encroaching into our personal lives with work place health and safety policy. BHP and other Companies have recommended removal of Hi-Vis vests in the work place as they have found that they have caused work place injurys with entanglement issues, which in the case of riders being made to  wear Hi-Vis Vests as mandatory which could lead to entanglement injuries so are we being made to endanger ourselves by this mandatory enforcement? So what then, can we lay the blame on whoever introduces this mandatory enforcement? 

Snr Sgt Gore states we as riders always find someone to blame. Well I say lay the blame at the feet of the cause, SORRY MATE I DIDNT SEE YOU the other part of that is BECAUSE YOU DIDNT LOOK (see link below). Below is a chart of what is used in the work place it seems the Government would like to introduce WH&S regulations in reverse and into our private lives.

What about the Governments showing the compensation claims of Australia Post in relation to how many riding posties are injured in the workplace as they are required to wear HI-VIS FLURO on there person and all off the saddle bags and have great long  fluro flag as well. 

As has been said by myself and many others that have reached our age and are still here to ride is that we must be doing something right, one of things we are doing right im sure is our attitude while on the road and after reading this article it shows the attitude out there is very bad and that is what needs changing before any mandatory band aid enforcement of Hi-Vis Fluro.

Yours Sincerely

Prickle

MRAQ VP

SMIDSY BIKER KILLER CLEARED         http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-...#ixzz1zb7SLg30

WH&S CHART

1 Elimination-----------------Most Effective

2 Substitution

3 engeneering

4 Administration/ Education

5 P. P. E. ---------------------Least Effective

The government going for the Least effective way of trying to  fix the problem. 

MOTORCYCLE  CONSPICUITY  AND TRAFFIC  ACCIDENTS 

M.  J.  WILLIAMS 

The  Australian  Road  Research  Board,  Vermont  South  3121,  Victoria,  Australia 

and E.  R.  HOFFMANN 

Department  of  Mechanical  Engineering,  University  of  Melbourne,  ParkviIle  3052,  Australia 

(Received  30 August  1978) 

Type  1. Driver  “did  not  see”  motorcycle.  No  obstruction  to  vision.  The  driver  stated  that  he 

did  not  see  the  motorcycle  prior  to  commencing  the  initial  movement  which  produced  a 

collision. There  was nothing  to  indicate  that  the driver’s  vision of  the motorcycle  was physically 

obstructed. 

Type  2.  Driver  “did  not  see”  motorcycle.  Vision  obstructed.  The driver  stated  that he did not 

see  the  motorcycle  but  it  was  possible  that  his  view  of  the  motorcycle  may  have  been 

physically  obstructed  when  he  decided  to  make  a  manoeuvre.  The  obstructions  included 

moving  or  stationary  vehicles  nearby,  parked  vehicles,  fixed  objects  or  a  crest  or  curve  in  the 

roadway,  glare  from  a  low  sun or  heavy  rain. 

Type  3. Driver  “did  not  see”  motorcycle.  Concentrating  on  another  vehicle.  The  driver 

stated  that  he  began  to  move  when  another  vehicle  yielded  right-of-way.  He  was  probably 

concentrating  on  this  other  vehicle,  and/or  his  view  of  the  motorcycle  may  have  been 

obstructed  at  the  time he decided  to manoeuvre. 

Type  4.  Driver  saw  motorcycle.  The  driver  stated  that  he  saw  the  motorcycle  but  still 

manoeuvred  his vehicle  into  its path,  usually  because  he  underestimated  its  speed. 

Type  5.  Aberrant  driving.  There  was  some  indication  that  at  least  one  of  the  operators  was 

driving  in  an  irresponsible  manner  or  his  faculties  were  impaired  by  alcohol.  Irresponsible 

driving  included  travelling  at a speed  exceeding  the  limit or  committing  some  serious  breach  of 

road  traffic regulations. 

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

HI VIZ VEST 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 should be evidence-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.

It is likely that riders who take care to buy and wear hi viz gear are
careful road users generally.

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."

If  you  think  Sgt  Gore has exceeded his authority telling the media
that he believed it was inevitable the Victorian Road Safety Committee
would find for tougher bike laws and that hi viz vests would be law in
18 months, let Police Minister, Peter Ryan MP, know.

peter.ryan@parliament.vic.gov.au

Cc the Leader of the Opposition.

daniel.andrews@parliament.vic.gov.au

Damien Codognotto OAM
Spokesman
Independent Riders' Group
Melbourne

d.codognotto.oam@bigpond.com

HI-VIZ VEST LAW 1

To  The  Wangaratta  Chronicle
LETTERS - FLOURO MYTHS
From  Doug Sunderland
Wangaratta, Vic.

Congratulations to R.S.N.E. (ROAD SAFE North East) & they deserve
much praise  plus  a  medal,  for  bringing  to the public a very excellent
report on cycling CRASH statistics.

I  personally  find  the  use of that incorrect term 'ACCIDENT' by the
media to be out of order, the correct term should be 'CRASHES'. (Check
your dictionary).

In  this  Country  there  is a lack of driving EDUCATION, (only to get
your license it seems) with far too many gadgets in cars today, taking
driver  attention off the road. Many motorists never have time or care
for others.

Having  had a motorcycle license since 1943 & with just over 4 million
kilometers,  here  &  in  19 other World countries, I find this FLUORO
Jacket nonsense nothing but a very weak excuse for car drivers to use.
"SORRY,  I DID NOT SEE YOU". Flouro jackets would do nothing to reduce
motorcycle  crashes.

If  a  car  driver  can  not see a bike it's because they fail to turn
their  head  & LOOK. If police accept a driver can't see my motorcycle
on  a sunny day, with a very bright headlight on permanently, then how
on earth would they see a primary school child riding to school?

Fluoro  vests  for  all  pushbike riders? But many riders already wear
fluoro  gear  & they still get knocked off their bikes! I wonder???


Just  ask the Posties who wear a bright yellow coat & pants, but still
get  knocked  off. Read Shana Morgans good write up Chronicle page 3 &
P.20 (June 20, 2012) very well written & self explanatory.

More  than 78% of car drivers involved in another survey admitted they
TEXT  on  their  mobiles  whilst driving, & with 46 cycling crashes in
this  rural   city,  car  drivers  again use that stupid, weak excuse
"SORRY  i  DID  NOT  SEE YOU" because they were too busy combing their
hair  or  stuffing  a  big  mac into their mouth, to give a damn about
anyone else.

Forty six push  bike crashes a year happen in our rural city WHY??

The solution is easy, "EDUCATION" in all grades of all schools, & with
a  great  deal of more honesty about the real causes of crashes. Every
night  the  TV  news  show the daily crash scenes, & we can see over &
over  again  the  large majority feature DOUBLE LINES, meaning someone
crossed those lines, so why not tell people the true causes, so we can
learn  &  act.  We all make mistakes in life, but with untold reasons,
how can we learn??

Doug  Sunderland
IRG 19
Wangaratta