Tag Archives: road safety

News

Distracted drivers force bike cops off road

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Distracted drivers are making riding so dangerous for motorcyclists they have forced one US motorcycle police unit off the road.

The St. Paul Police Department in Minnesota has now axed its motorcycle and horse-mounted units, citing an increase in crashes with distracted drivers.

It’s such as shame as both units not only had practical policing advantages but also community outreach benefits as shown in this photo.

cops distracted drivers
Image from St Paul Police Department Facebook page

Citizens in danger

It’s not just bike cops that face danger from distracted drivers, but all riders.

The Australian Automobile Association National Road Safety Strategy increased the motorcycle crash danger status from amber to red in 2015 citing an increase in crashes caused by distracted drivers.

It has stayed in red status ever since.

And it is not going to go away. It seems drivers are becoming more and more distracted by the various electronic gizmos in their cars.

But the biggest distraction is the mobile phone – not just for making calls. Police say they have seen drivers updating their social media and even taking selfies while they drive.Call to double driver phone penalties roundabouts distracted

In an ironic twist, St Paul’s is axing its bike cop unit while Australian motorcycle police are often deployed to patrol for motorists using mobile phone illegally.

They say the seat height of the bikes give police a good view into the driver “cockpit”.

Suspend licences

The Motorcycle Council of NSW has called for drivers who illegally use a mobile phone while driving to have their licence suspended as they do in Canada.

It’s a call that is backed by many motorcyclists as well as other motorists.

The RACQ’s annual “What drives us crazy” survey continues to find that driver distractions such as mobile phones are among the top five complaints among motorists.

Meanwhile, mobile phone fines vary across the nation:

  • NSW $337 fine and 5 demerit points;
  • Queensland $391 and 3 points;
  • Victoria $476 and 4 points;
  • Western Australia $400 and 3 points;
  • South Australia $308, plus $60 Victims of Crime levy, and 3 points;
  • Tasmania $300 and 3 points;
  • Northern Territory $250 and 3 points;
  • ACT $386 and 3 points.

Fines around the worldVietnam - double mobile phone penalties

Fines vary around the world from no fine in many Asian countries to thousands of dollars and licence suspensions in Canada.

New Zealand has an $80 fine which matches their low fines for speeding. Consequently 3.5% of Kiwi drivers use their phone while driving compared with about 1.5% in Australia.

Almost half (24) of American states have no hand-held phone ban. Some states only issue fines if the driver is in a school zone or committing some other traffic offence such as speeding. Arizona and Montana even allow drivers to text!

The toughest measures in the USA are in California. The state has a $US150 fine (about $A205) for the first offence and more than $US250 (about $A345) for a second violation and one point.

Canada has a distracted driving offence which attracts a $1000 fine and three demerit points. A second conviction could mean a fine of up to $2000 and a seven-day licence suspension. A third offence could mean a fine of up to $3000 and a 30-day suspension.

Fines in Europe vary from less than €50 (about $80) and one point in eastern Europe to €420 (about $A675) in the Netherlands and up to six points in the UK.Mobile Phones

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

Black cattle a danger to motorcyclists

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A 33-year-old rider has died after hitting a cow early on Tuesday morning (February 19, 2019), prompting a call for mandatory reflective ear or tail tags for cattle as used in Scotland.

Beef farmer Terry Moody of Upper Clarence Combined Landcare says it’s a major safety issue that has been exacerbated by an increase in Black Angus cattle which are harder to see in low-light conditions.

The rider hit the cow on Eltham Rd near Lismore before 5am.

Police say a report on the fatality will be prepared for the Coroner and Richmond Police District officers are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“The number of times I’ve nearly hit black cows is ridiculous,” Terry says.

Terry says the number of Black Angus cattle has increased 30% in the past 10 years because of the McDonald’s promotion of Angus Burgers.

cow cattle black angus
Black Angus

Cattle warning

Terry says he is not a rider, but he recently ran his truck into an “invisible herd” of the black cattle on a major highway, narrowly missing several cattle.

“I came over the hill on a state highway doing 100km and at the last second saw a herd of black cattle right in front of me,” he says.

“They are getting loose because there is no rain, so they are madly trying to find feed and breaking out of paddocks on to the road.”

Terry says it is the land holder’s responsibility to keep cattle fenced in.

“I’ve spoken to a couple of the tag manufacturers and they say they are having trouble getting them to work but they do in Scotland” he says.

“For the sake of someone developing a decent reflective tag, more motorists could die.”

Riders vulnerableroadkill cattle

Motorcycle Council of NSW chairman Steve Pearce says motorcyclists are most vulnerable to livestock and wildlife because they stay away from A roads and mainly ride B roads.

“We’re hearing of a lot of crashes in country areas, usually after 3pm and on a weekend you are at the biggest risk,” he says.

“These B roads aren’t as well managed by local councils, they don’t have the vision of A roads and they have more access to farms and properties,” he says.

“If the fences are down, the animals can get out.

“I’ve heard that if they are hungry or thirsty cattle will work their way through fences if they see water or feed.

“With the current drought conditions, it’s a bigger problem for motorcyclists.

“It’s something that riders need to be aware of.”

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

Motorcycles in bus lanes trial extended

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Motorcyclists can now use more bus lanes in Melbourne indefinitely under an extension to an already six-year bus-lane trial.

The Victorian Government started a “six-month trial” in Hoddle St in 2011 allowing riders to use the bus lane in peak periods. The trial was extended in 2017 with the Fitzgerald St bus lane added, but still no report has been issued.

Now the trial will be expanded to include the Eastern Freeway inbound from the Chandler Highway to Hoddle Street, and Victoria Parade between Hoddle Street and Brunswick Street.

It is believed the trial bas been extended to five years but calls to VicRoads and the government could not clear up the time period.

Three-year battle

Victorian Motorcycle Council media spokesman John Eacott says they have battled three years to get the trial extended.

“I fronted one of the senior VicRoads guys at the Minister’s Motorcycle Expert Advisory Panel after he said they were unsafe,” John says.

“I tackled him about using statistics from outside the bus lane times and he was sent away to do further research.

“At least we’ve now got this.”

However, John is concerned that the trial is being funded by the Motorcycle Safety Levy to which the VMC has long objected.

“No other section of the road-using public has to fund their own safety. It’s appalling,” he says.

Bus lanes

Bus lane in use in London lane filtering happiest commuters A British survey has found that riding a motorcycle makes you safer on a bicycle and vice versa, while other surveys show riders are the safest motorists. kerb motorists lanes
Riders can use bus lanes in London

Riders can only legally ride in bus lanes in NSW and the ACT in Australia. In most states, only bicycles, taxis, limousines and emergency vehicles can use these lanes.

However, in several major cities around the world, including London and Tel Aviv, riders are allowed to use bus lanes.

Western Australia also started a one-year trial for motorbikes and taxis in bus lanes in South and Beaufort streets, Perth, from March 2015. There has been no official report issued since.

If there are concerns about safety, why are cyclists allowed to use these lanes in most states?

Surely they are far more vulnerable because of the speed differential with motorised transport and their smaller profile on the road.

Levy package

The Victorian Government says the bus lane trial is part of a $1 million road safety package for motorcyclists funded by their levy.

They also include:

  • A learner and novice rider pack will be developed containing tips, resources, a high-visibility vest and other “safety” equipment;
  • VicRoads surveillance officers will be trained and equipped to better identify road imperfections and other potential hazards for motorcyclists; and
  • The MotoCAP motorcycle protective clothing star rating system will be “further promoted to help riders make better choices when it comes to buying safety gear”.

The Motorcycle Safety Levy was introduced in October 2002 to provide specific funding to reduce motorcycle-related road trauma.

Motorcycle Riders Association Victoria spokesman and former MEAP member Damien Codognotto says MEAP was ignored in this “government million dollar PR stunt”.

“The whole thing is aimed at the rider being to blame for all or most of the 2019 rider casualty rate,” he says.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

Returned riders safety risk ‘is a furphy’

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Police and road safety authority claims that returned riders are the biggest safety risk on the road is a “furphy”, says Victorian Motorcycle Council media spokesman John Eacott (pictured above).

John has spent some time analysing Victorian Transport Accident Commission (TAC) statistics and now claims returned riders are not the major safety risk they have been labelled.

He says this is a concern because road safety initiatives are being directed to the wrong group.

Stats don’t lie

“It would appear that the TAC site has a better analysis than we initially thought with Motorcycle Age Group and Gender as a good start,” he says.

“In 2018, there were 38 motorcyclist fatalities and, in 2017/2018, 1312 motorcycle riders were compensated by the TAC for injuries involving an acute hospital admission.

“Some 53% of motorcycle riders who lost their lives in 2018 and 48% of those hospitalised in 2017/2018 were aged over 40.

“While the numbers of females injured have increased, males are significantly more likely to lose their lives or be seriously injured than females.”

While these are Victorian figures, the state and national stats show similar results. Check out the national fatalities graph below.

Returned riders safety risk is a furphy

However, this is only half the story.

Licence holders by age/gender

John also researched the ages of registered Victorian motorcycle licence holders on the Motorcycle Crash Data site.

He found that in June 2017 there were more than 420,000 Victorians with a current motorcycle licence or permit with the following breakdown:

  • 88% were male;
  • 5% aged 25 or less;
  • 70% aged over 40;
  • 20% aged over 60 (with 4% over 70); and
  • Just over half (56%) of motorcycle licence holders were active riders.

Once again, the figures are expected to be similar in all states and nationally.

“So while the age group and gender implies a ‘worrying’ crash rate for over 40s, they account for less than 50% of fatals and hospitalisations yet comprise 70% of licensed riders,” John says.

“Using the stats on the age group page, under 25s have 11% of fatals and 24% of hospital admissions, yet they are only 5% of registered riders.

“Comparatively the over-60s comprised 21% of fatalities and 11% of hospitalisations yet are 20% of licence holders, so they are underrepresented in hospitalisations and on percentage for fatalities.

“The lack of referencing to these factual statistics by the various authorities along with the constant referencing of stats for over 40s shows an institutional bias against older riders.

“Until this is corrected and the over-representation in accidents of under 25s is addressed, we fear nothing will change.”

Road safety funding misdirected

VMC chairman John Eacott against mandatory gloves and boots injuries Returned riders safety risk is a furphy
John Eacott

“Time and time again the government and media make comments about returned riders being a problem,” John says.

“We are actually underrepresented in crash stats and under 25s are grossly overrepresented and this is not being addressed.

“It is a misapplication of resources and the Motorcycle Safety Levy.”

John suggests the levy would be better used to subsidise advanced rider courses that would be voluntary for mature riders and mandatory for novices before they secure their full licence.

“The VMC does not agree with the levy,” he says.

“No other section of the road-using public has to fund their own safety. It’s appalling.

“However, while it’s there, let’s use it to subsidise these course as a positive improvement in motorcycle safety.”

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

MotoGP, News

Warning of police patrols for WSBK riders

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Victoria Police are expected to be out in force over the next few days as warning to motorcyclists to ride safely on their way to and from the World Superbikes at Phillip Island this weekend.

In previous years, VicPol have conducted “Motosafe” operations around the WSBK and MotoGP events.

We contacted VicPol to find out what they had planned for this year, but they said they couldn’t supply an answer until the end of the week, which is too late to issue a specific warning to riders.

Rider warning

However, riders have complained in the past that over-zealous police make life difficult for riders.

They have reported long queues for licence checks at road blocks, indiscriminate roadside bike inspections and an abundance of speed detection.

Some have even said they not return because of the heavy handed police presence.

So while these events are recognised as two of the major tourist attractions to the state, these police operations seem to have had the reverse effect.

We will update this article with a specific warning if or when VicPol supply details of their operations.

Meanwhile, we invite riders to leave a comment below of their experiences to alert other riders.

And make sure you have fun at the Island and get home in one piece.

World Superbikes 2019 Phillip Island WSBK Jamie Morris/Geebee Images/2SNAP warning
World Superbikes at Phillip Island (Images on this page: Jamie Morris/Geebee Images/2SNAP)

Rule warning

For those interstate riders visiting Victoria, remember it is not legal to ride in a bus, bicycle, transit, tram or truck lane.

The only exception is if you are stopping for an emergency or turning and then you can only be in the lane for 1090m (50m for bicycle and tram lanes).

Also, VicPol now have automatic number plate recognition technology to detect unregistered vehicles.

Tourist events

WSBK and MotoGP are significant tourist events that reap millions of dollars in annual revenue for Victoria.

The Victorian Government’s Motorcycle Tourism Strategy 2013-2016 actually says “motorcycle tourism has the potential to make an important contribution to the Victorian economy, particularly in regional areas. Motorcycling is the fastest growing road user sector.”

The strategy has not been updated since 2016.

However, the Australian Bureau of Statistics confirms that motorcycle riders account for about 1% of Australian tourism which is worth about $350 million annually to the economy.

Also, an Australian Financial Review report cited the booming motorcycle tourism industry as being dominated by domestic intra-state bikers taking short, weekend rides into rural areas and staying in country hotels. 

“Others do longer inter-state trips through classic touring country such as coastal and alpine roads. Then there’s the motorbike tourists who tour for several weeks or months, either in a tour group or by hiring bikes and self-guiding,” the report stated.

And, of course, making an annual pilgrimage to the island!

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

Would you pay $40 to scan your helmet?

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Riders may soon have peace of mind their helmet is safe to use after a drop or crash, thanks to a new invention that uses a laser to scan your helmet.

The Helmet Doctors who developed the device now want to know if riders would pay $40 for the safety scanning service?

You can take part in their quick 10-question online survey by clicking here.

Early feedback on the poll shows strong support for a helmet scan service.

However, some riders have expressed concern that authorities could make such scanning services compulsory.

Why helmet integrity is important?

helmet doctors scan
Scott, Brayden and family

The Helmet Doctors is a family venture founded by Brayden Robinson and his father, Scott, of the Sunshine Coast.

“We grew up with the kids and me riding motocross and we would often see kids crash then continue to use their helmets which appeared to be unscathed,” Scott says.

“When Brayden was hospitalised with a fractured skull, we were shocked to see how good the helmet still looked.

“So we started looking for a better way to assure helmets are still in a safe condition after a crash.”

helmet doctors scan
Brayden is taken away in the ambulance

This led Scott and Brayden to invent a helmet laser-scanning technique with the help of a Belgian lab who primarily work in aeronautical and spatial technologies.

This Belgian experimental science lab develops, operates and makes solutions to improve the design, mechanical strength and durability, under a vibratory environment, of equipment and structures.

Scott and Brayden did extensive research and development with this Belgian company and with the help of the Composites Research Group in the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering at The University of Queensland.

The father-and-son team investigated sound waves, x-rays and other non-destructive testing techniques.

“We found this laser scanning technique can categorically guarantee that, if there is any damage to the helmet’s outer shell, our technique will identify it.

“It’s ground-breaking, proven science.”

Helmet Doctors laser scan helmets
Helmet scanner

The Helmet Doctors have a Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application that allows them to enter their patent application into any of 152 jurisdictions by 23 June 2020.  At present the application has been examined by the international PCT body and all but one claim has been found to be novel over identified existing technology .

The Helmet Doctors are keen to turn this into a commercial venture.

How the scan works

Scott says very few riders know exactly when to replace their helmet.

Manufacturing safety standards say a composite helmet has a lifespan of five years and, if used frequently, about three years.

But what if you drop it or have a crash?

Helmet Doctors laser scan helmets
Helmet scan identifies a flaw

“We have all heard how if you drop your helmet once you should replace it. But very few do this,” Scott says.

“No one knows how much impact a composite helmet can tolerate before the shell is critically weakened.

“Composite materials have many layers and tiny fibres that can be damaged in a fall.

“The impact energy is dispersed among the fibres and away from the brain which it is designed to do.

“This is why a dropped helmet may still look ok.

“However, the impact could have led to a small crack or splintering which you can’t see with the naked eye.

“Our device can view, read and record the helmet 100,000 times better than the naked eye and find if there are any cracks, splintering or deformations which would make the helmet defective and unable to withstand another impact.”

Helmet-scanning scheme

The Helmet Doctors plan to test their service first in South East Queensland.

Riders would take their helmet to a participating motorcycle dealer where they would leave it and pick it up a few days later.

The helmet would be sent to the nearest scanner depot where it would be scanned, assessed and returned.

Scott says the Federal Government is considering some funding for the safety service but needs to know if it would be well received by riders, racers and the motorcycle industry.

“As you could imagine this experimental laser camera is very expensive, but our goal is to make this service accessible and cheap enough for everyone to use it,” Scott says.

If the project is successful, they hope to extend the service to other states and overseas.

If you have a few minutes, click here to take this short 10-question survey and help the Helmet Doctors.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

Unrealistic road toll targets prompt knee-jerks

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Ambitious road toll targets, such as the improbable Vision Zero campaign, create unrealistic expectations that only serve to goad politicians into knee-jerk responses.

They usually consist of lower speed limits and crackdowns on motorcyclists who are over-over-represented in the statistics.

So it comes as no surprise that Australia is not on target to meet its ambitious National Road Safety Strategy road toll objective, agreed to by all state and territory governments in 2011.

AAA targets governments

The Australian Automobile Association is now putting pressure on state and federal governments to comply with 12 recommendations made in an independent inquiry into the NRSS.

They include a special federal Cabinet position for road safety, relevant bureaucratic support, government recognition of road safety and a $3 billion-a-year road safety fund.

All commendable recommendations.

However, they also ridiculously advocate Vision Zero targets by 2050.

Rider concerns

Among the 12 recommendations are two insidious references to issues that should send a shiver down the spine of many motorists, in particular motorcyclists.

One is to “implement rapid deployment and accelerated uptake of proven vehicle safety technologies and innovation”.

This could mean mandating technologies such as automatic emergency brakes in motorcycles.

It’s already being mandated in cars, so why not? After all, we already have mandatory ABS.Honda first with emergency braking

Honda and Continental AG are already working on motorcycle-based emergency brakes.

The other insidious recommendation is to “accelerate the adoption of speed management initiatives that support harm elimination”.

In other words, lower speed limits!

Recently, UNSW Sydney Professor Raphael Grzebieta was honoured with an international road safety award for his work which recognises his research into the reduction of speed limits on highways, suburban and high pedestrian active streets.

He recommends 80km/h on some highways and 30km/h in CBD streets.

Together with the AAA’s recommendation, this could be the impetus governments need to drop speeds.

Crash data

The inquiry into the NRSS does not recommend better crash data which is still largely in the hands of untrained police, rather than specific crash investigators.

Motorcycle Council of NSW (MCCNSW) chairman Steve Pearce says proper crash investigation would reveal the real causes of motorcycle crashes and help prevent further accidents and deaths.

A 2012 Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry documented the lack of reliable crash data and recommended a road crash data authority be set up independent of VicPol/VicRoads/TAC.

Motorcycle Riders Association of Victoria spokesman Damien Codognotto says that “while we base road trauma countermeasures on unreliable, inadequate crash data we will get unreliable, inadequate countermeasures”.

Crash data for motorcyclists is not as bad as many police and the mainstream media would have us believe.

The AAA’s inquiry found there were 191 motorcyclist deaths on Australian roads over the past 12 months compared with 242 the previous year which is a decrease of 21.1%.

Meanwhile, cyclist fatalities increased 80%.Cyclist video shows ‘safety in numbers’ bicycle

So rather than a crackdown on motorcyclists, let’s have a crackdown on riders who flout road rules.

And maybe the Tasmanian Motorcycle Council’s call for free identification numbers, not registration, for cyclists over 18 so they don’t escape fines is not so silly, after all.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

Funding boost for Aussie Forcite smart helmet

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Australian motorcycle helmet startup Forcite has received a welcome funding boost that will ensure its ultralight and ultra-hi-tech smart helmet hits the market in the next few months.

The Forcite helmet integrates a camera system, navigation, intercom and active noise-cancelling. It also features an electronically tinted visor that changes tint within a few milliseconds.

Uniseed funding

It looks so impressive, Australia’s longest-running research commercialisation fund Uniseed, has invested in the company, bringing Forcite’s total funding to $2.8 million. 

Forcite spokesman Alfred Boyadgis says the money will allow them to “focus on completing the product and getting ready for test-days”.

“It also means we can stop eating pop tarts and two-minute noodles,” he jokes. Forcite smart helmet funding

Alfred says the helmet will be launched in late April to mid-May.

A founder’s limited-edition helmet in carbon composite with gold logos will be available at around $US949 (about $A1330) to those who come along to their test days.

“This makes our helmet the most affordable smart helmet to be on the market,” Alfred says.

“The founder’s edition is only available to “test pilots” and will be heavily discounted as the point of it is to give something special to those who help us.

“We are selective with the test group and only 10% of people make it in.” 

Smart helmet revolutionForcite smart helmet funding

The smart helmet revolution is coming with several hi-tech helmets or add-on units hitting the market in the next few years, changing riding forever. 

Not to be outdone by Silicon Valley and Asian tech wizards, Alfred and Julian Chow of Forcite Helmets in Sydney have developed their own smart helmet software package.

It evolved from an undergraduate UNSW design project after Alfred’s “near-death experience” in a motorcycle accident where his helmet cracked in half and the attached action camera almost penetrated his skull.

The helmet is based on similar smart helmets Forcite has developed for other industries, and the business recently received mentoring in the UNSW 10X Accelerator. 

They say their helmet and software package give riders “greater situational awareness and allows them to overcome their lack of visibility on the road by communicating essential information about their ride in a completely safe manner”.

It can also alert riders to nearby safety hazards and provides video and audio recordings of the ride.

“We have seen riders attach all sorts of equipment to their helmets in an effort to record their rides – either for fun or for safety,” Alfred says.

“However, the practice of attaching cameras to helmets is currently illegal in NSW and being investigated by standards bodies in many countries as the devices add to the weight of the helmet and at high speed impact, can crack helmet shells, leading to death or injury.” 

(Our understanding is that NSW and Victorian police still believe external fittings render a helmet illegal, but NSW have been ordered not to fine riders until the issue is officially resolved.)

Forcite futureForcite smart helmet funding

Forcite recently invited riders to test the helmet in Australia and the US. More than 2000 riders registered to be test pilots. 

Alfred says the company is now in discussions with major motorcycle brands and distributors in Australia and the United States.

“The early interest has resulted in a groundswell of momentum that will culminate when our helmets hit the road early this year,” he says.

Uniseed investment manager Natasha Rawlings says the need for the product is “immense”.

She says the market for helmets with electronics embedded is already worth more than $17 billion a year and will grow 10% in the next eight years.

“Our funding will enable the company to address this growing unmet need and deliver a safer, better experience for thousands of riders worldwide,” she says.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

MotoCAP rates textile pants low on safety

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The world’s first motorcycle clothing safety ratings program, MotoCAP, has given only half a star to two stars to eight more pairs of textile pants.

MotoCAP launched in September 2018 with ratings for 10 leather jackets and 10 pairs of rider jeans.

In November they added ratings for 10 textile jackets which rated lower than the leather jackets on safety and leggings in January which only rated half a star for safety out of five.

MotoCAP has set a target of testing 10% of available jackets, pants and gloves in its first year of operation.

Textile pants

BMW and Triumph textile pants tested by MotoCAP
BMW and Triumph textile pants tested

This latest batch of eight textile pants includes BMW Rider ($570) and Triumph Malvern Jeans ($812) which rated two out of five stars for safety but three for comfort.

DriRider Vortex Adventure 2 ($330), Neo Mugello ($199) and Rev’It Factor 3 ($350) only rated one star each for safety and comfort.

However, only half a star for safety and comfort was earned by DriRider Nordic 2 ($250) and RJays Voyager V, while Spidi X-Tour ($350) scored half a star for safety and one star for comfort.

Since all pants were advertised as water resistant, they were tested for water resistance.

MotoCAP reports a wide range of water resistance performance from one point out of 10 to the RJays Voyager V scoring 10 out of 10.

Voluntary system

Motocap Motorcycle clothing rating system launched The world’s first motorcycle clothing safety ratings program, MotoCAP, has given only half a star to two stars to eight more pair of textile pants.
A dummy dressed in riding gear is tested for abrasion resistance

The five-star ratings system is a voluntary system that manufacturers can display on their gear as information for riders.

When MotoCAP was launched, the motorcycle clothing industry was not invited to pay for testing to guarantee independence.

However MotoCAP has invited companies to submit products for ratings.

So far, all rated clothing has been bought off the shelf using a random sampling process.

The ratings were not commissioned by the companies and the motorcycle gear was not supplied by the companies.

MotoCAP is a not-for-profit organisation in partnership with the following: from NSW – Transport for NSW, SIRA and the NRMA; from Victoria – VicRoads, TAC and RACV; from South Australia – DPTI, MAC and RAA; from Queensland – TMR and RACQ; from Western Australia – the Western Australian Road Safety Commission; plus the Australian Motorcycle Council and the New Zealand Accident Compensation Corporation.

A Transport for NSW spokesperson says MotoCAP is designed to “reduce road trauma and injury severity for motorcyclists” by informing riders of their choices.

“It is hoped this will be achieved by raising consumer awareness of, and demand for, better protective clothing, and manufacturers and suppliers will respond to that demand,” he said.

“The MotoCAP rating system will be continually monitored and feedback will be considered to identify any improvements that can be made.”

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

News

VicPol gets number plate recognition

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Victoria Police have enlisted their first patrol car with automatic number plate recognition technology, lagging behind other states.

The technology, developed by Motorola Solutions Australia, is helpful for riders as it will reduce the need for police to pull riders over for licence checks or for dangerous high-speed pursuits.

It will also help police catch those unlicensed riders on stolen and unregistered bikes who crash and adversely affect the road toll statistics for riders.

We couldn’t get quick access to statistics of illegal riding and subsequent crashes.

However, as an example, Queensland Main Roads says more than 5700 infringement notices were issued from 2015 to the end of October last year for riding an unregistered motorcycle or unlicensed riding.

A few years ago VicPol noted that illegal riders represented a third of all fatal motorcycle crashes.

They couldn’t provide a current breakdown for motorcycles, but did provide these sobering crash stats from 2016:

  • Unauthorised drivers were at fault in 16% of all crashes; and
  • One in five injury collisions involving an unregistered vehicle also involved an unauthorised driver/rider.

VicPol plays catch-up

VicPol gets number plate recognition
Number plate recognition device on the roof of a patrol car

The first VicPol patrol car with the recognition technology will be deployed in Bendigo with 220 more to be rolled out across the state over the next two years.

The system will allow police to scan about 5000 number plates per shift. Their vehicles will also be fitted with video cameras for evidence.

However, VicPol is playing a game of catch-up with other states.

NSW Police say all marked Highway Patrol Vehicles and selected general duty vehicles already carry automatic number plate recognition technology.

“Those that ride unregistered motorcycles, or ride unlicensed, continue to put themselves and other road users at great risk,” they told us.

Queensland has 77 police cars and motorbikes with the tech with more due before the middle of the year.

South Australian Police acknowledge they have them but were coy, as usual: “We wouldn’t provide the number of cars with ANPR cameras as we don’t generally discuss our resources.”

But we’re glad they have them!

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com