Media Statement: Motorcycles ACC Nick Smith

[RentaTriumph]

Hon Dr Nick Smith
Minister for ACC

12 August 2010



Media Statement

Motorcyclists & ACC look to Victoria to improve motorcycle safety
New Zealand needs to follow the lead of Victoria, Australia where the
serious injury rate for registered motorcyclists has fallen 20% since a
safety levy was introduced eight years ago, ACC Minister Nick Smith says.

"New Zealand has a serious problem with motorcycle accidents, with
fatalities, serious injuries and costs significantly increasing. Claim
numbers are up from 871 in 1998 to 5044 in 2008. Deaths and serious injuries
have increased 68% over the past five years. These increases cannot be
dismissed on the basis of increased motorcycle numbers as the number of
claims per registered motorcycle has also increased.

"Addressing this high injury rate is why the Government ring-fenced $30 of
the moped/motorcycle levy for injury prevention. This new fund of $3 million
per year will be modelled on the successful Transport Accident Commission's
programme in Victoria where since 2002 there has been a noticeable drop in
the rate of injuries per motorcycle attributed to the levy and associated
safety programme. Our collective ambition should be to reduce motorcycle
fatalities in New Zealand from 50 per year to a rate comparable with that in
Victoria. This would save 16 Kiwi lives a year.

Dr Smith is in Melbourne this week to hear first hand about the Victorian
motorcycle safety programme. The Minister is leading a delegation that
includes representatives from ACC, the Ulysses Club of New Zealand, Bikers
Rights Organisation of NZ (BRONZ), the Automobile Association and
Motorcycling New Zealand.

"Motorcyclists are concerned over last year's levy hikes but I am determined
to find common ground in improving safety so as to reduce the road toll and
the injury costs to ACC. I am encouraged by the commitment of ACC and the
lead motorcycle organisations to learn from Victoria's positive experience
and make this new programme work for New Zealand motorcyclists."

[Katman]

Dr Smith is in Melbourne this week to hear first hand about the Victorian
motorcycle safety programme. The Minister is leading a delegation that
includes representatives from ACC, the Ulysses Club of New Zealand, Bikers
Rights Organisation of NZ (BRONZ), the Automobile Association and
Motorcycling New Zealand.



So who's being wined and dined in Melbourne and not bothering to report back to New Zealand motorcyclists?

[bogan]

notice how the article uses rates to show aus's program works, and numbers to show ours doesn't. Gee I wonder if the total number of bikers on NZ roads has risen since 02 :rolleyes:

[varminter]

Washn't me, hic, burp.

[NONONO]

So who's being wined and dined in Melbourne and not bothering to report back to New Zealand motorcyclists?
Eh?
Elaborate.

[Katman]

Eh?
Elaborate.

Well there's a crew of them there.

It'd be nice to hear how the R&R's going. :shifty:

[NONONO]

Jeez, it's like Zen around here sometimes..
WTF?

[mashman]

Well there's a crew of them there.

It'd be nice to hear how the R&R's going. :shifty:

Did you notice the release date? 12 August 2010... i'm pretty sure they're back :shifty:

[Squiggles]

I'd expect to hear back mid next week.

Vic has surprisingly similar figures to what we have (http://www.msf-usa.org/imsc/proceedings/b-Andrea-StrategicMotorcycleSafetyPrograminVictoriaAustrali a.pdf) and the effort they've put in certainly seems to be making a difference.

Some the areas they spend money on. (http://www.arrivealive.vic.gov.au/initiatives/safer_road_users/the_motorcycle_safety/levy_funded_projects.html)

[bogan]

I'd expect to hear back mid next week.

Vic has surprisingly similar figures to what we have (http://www.msf-usa.org/imsc/proceedings/b-Andrea-StrategicMotorcycleSafetyPrograminVictoriaAustrali a.pdf) and the effort they've put in certainly seems to be making a difference.

Some the areas they spend money on. (http://www.arrivealive.vic.gov.au/initiatives/safer_road_users/the_motorcycle_safety/levy_funded_projects.html)

You look through that list of what they have spend money on, isn't it stuff that car drivers get anyway? they pay no safety levy so why should we?

[pete376403]

Did you notice the release date? 12 August 2010... i'm pretty sure they're back :shifty:

Stoney was scheduled to give a presentation at the Wgtn BRONZ meeting this evening (and I missed it!)

[NONONO]

Did you notice the release date? 12 August 2010... i'm pretty sure they're back :shifty:

Back from where?

[Squiggles]

You look through that list of what they have spend money on, isn't it stuff that car drivers get anyway? they pay no safety levy so why should we?

Is it stuff they get? Or is it stuff they'd get if there was all the money in the world (which there isnt) and this way it gets prioritised? (In regards to the engineering aspect)

[MSTRS]

The DisHon Dr Nick the Prick
Minister for Lies, Bullshit and Dodgy Stats


.... Claim numbers are up from 871 in 1998 to 5044 in 2008....

This bullshit being trotted out again?
The 871 was new claims of a 'serious' nature. The 5044 was all claims - minor, serious and historical (which would include some of those 871 from 10 years before).

[bogan]

Is it stuff they get? Or is it stuff they'd get if there was all the money in the world (which there isnt) and this way it gets prioritised? (In regards to the engineering aspect)

not quite sure what you mean? priorities or not, cars still get their safety campaigns from general whereas we now have to pay extra. My point is that a safety levy for motorcycles is inherently discriminatory against us.

In fact the pessimist in me reckons that eventually all bike safety funding will have to come from the levys, the minimal amount we currently get from the general fund will dry up, and we'll be shit out of luck if the levy fund runs out.

[NONONO]

Agreed Bogan..
Thing with Nick and his supporters is they never let the facts get in the way of a good story.......

[Corse1]

I wonder if he learnt that they only charge ACC (not sure what Oz equivalent is) on one motorcycle per owner in Victoria.

About 30 bucks per bike after 1st one

[Mom]

I wonder if he learnt that they only charge ACC (not sure what Oz equivalent is) on one motorcycle per owner in Victoria.

About 30 bucks per bike after 1st one

Hmmmmm, really?

[Corse1]

Hmmmmm, really?

Apparently so. Forget now where I found out but I am always looking at OZ legislation as I look after a branch of our business there. Will see if I can find it again.;)

[bogan]

Also they don't have wofs or certs over there. If he's gonna assume causation from some correlating factors why not go the whole hog. Who knows, maybe the fear that a significant amount of numpty driver will also have thudfuckeried vehicles may make the general road user more attentive and less accident prone.

[p.dath]

If I recall correctly, Victoria had a sudden jump in motorcycle accidents and fatalities in the last year.

Some are questioning if in fact what Victoria has done actually caused a statistically significant drop, or it just ran below average for a little bit, and is now returning to running above average for a little bit. As in, status quo.

Funnily enough, take a look at the Northern Territories accidents. They used to have no speed limit on the rural highways. After they imposed a speed limit accidents went up something like 20% to 25% - everyone suddenly started driving much faster (as in at the limit) as opposed to the conditions.

[NONONO]

In a similar vein, the UK has just agreed to remove speed cameras. MAG-UK lobbied long and hard on this. Sure enough, and after much research and debate, it was decided that they actually contribute to higher accident stats.
So they are going.....

[davereid]

There are some other things the aussies are looking at, and a few that have sneaked through here while we haven't been looking.

- Your Drivers Licence data is now being shared with the private sector. Nathan Guy has announced a plan that will allow "some" private sector organisations to "share" identity data already held by the government.

- Aussies are putting in number plate recognition cameras (NPRCs) to allow easy tracking of vehicle movements. Wellington Police district has purchased a system to trial in a mobile van.

- Front Number Plates. NPRCs need front number plates to be fully effective. Will we see a new effort to introduce front number plates ?

Does anyone in BRONZ or MAG know how we find out about the consideration of these things by Government BEFORE they are announced as a Fait accompli ?

[GOONR]

There are some other things the aussies are looking at, and a few that have sneaked through here while we haven't been looking.

- Your Drivers Licence data is now being shared with the private sector. Nathan Guy has announced a plan that will allow "some" private sector organisations to "share" identity data already held by the government.

- Aussies are putting in number plate recognition cameras (NPRCs) to allow easy tracking of vehicle movements. Wellington Police district has purchased a system to trial in a mobile van.

- Front Number Plates. NPRCs need front number plates to be fully effective. Will we see a new effort to introduce front number plates ?

Does anyone in BRONZ or MAG know how we find out about the consideration of these things by Government BEFORE they are announced as a Fait accompli ?

MAG-NZ are currently looking at adding a page or section to the website that will display relevant RSS feed content from various government agencies. If anything comes up that MAG-NZ members should be made aware of immediately they will be emailed.

This is still under development but we hope to have it available shortly.

[Mom]

There are some other things the aussies are looking at, and a few that have sneaked through here while we haven't been looking.

- Your Drivers Licence data is now being shared with the private sector. Nathan Guy has announced a plan that will allow "some" private sector organisations to "share" identity data already held by the government.

- Aussies are putting in number plate recognition cameras (NPRCs) to allow easy tracking of vehicle movements. Wellington Police district has purchased a system to trial in a mobile van.

- Front Number Plates. NPRCs need front number plates to be fully effective. Will we see a new effort to introduce front number plates ?

Does anyone in BRONZ or MAG know how we find out about the consideration of these things by Government BEFORE they are announced as a Fait accompli ?

I would suggest that you take a personal action and write an email to all of these good folk and ask the question.

http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/MPP/MPs/MPs/Default.htm?pf=PortfolioShortName&sf=Transport&lgc=0

Portfolio MP Name Role Party, Electorate
Transport Guy, Nathan Associate Minister National Party, Otaki
Transport Joyce, Steven Minister National Party, List
Transport Clendon, David Spokesperson Green Party, List
Transport Hague, Kevin Spokesperson Green Party, List
Transport Hughes, Darren Spokesperson Labour Party, List
Transport Kedgley, Sue Spokesperson Green Party, List
Transport Locke, Keith Spokesperson Green Party, List

[Squiggles]

Does anyone in BRONZ or MAG know how we find out about the consideration of these things by Government BEFORE they are announced as a Fait accompli ?

Iirc they've already rrialed average speed cameras here.

[davereid]

I would suggest that you take a personal action and write an email to all of these good folk and ask the question.

So MAG and BRONZ don't have any way of getting a "heads up" when government departments start scheming ?

Do we have to try and work out all the nutty things they might be doing and send then a confirm-or-deny letter ?

If that is the case, I'll cheerfully do it. So lets try and think of what might want to be in the list, so I only have to send one letter not one every time we think of something goofy that they might want to do.

1) End to exemptions - all vehicles licensed all the time.
2) Diesel miles to have an expiry date as well as km limit.
3) Front number plates for bikes, maybe a plate or sticker, but something for the speed camera/toll camera
4) Back rego to be paid if caught on road on un regd bike
5) WOF and REG done together as a pair, one fee
6)Fluorescent helmets and jackets for bikers
7) WOF to have mileage expiry as well as date

[Mom]

So MAG and BRONZ don't have any way of getting a "heads up" when government departments start scheming ?

Do we have to try and work out all the nutty things they might be doing and send then a confirm-or-deny letter ?

If that is the case, I'll cheerfully do it. So lets try and think of what might want to be in the list, so I only have to send one letter not one every time we think of something goofy that they might want to do.

1) End to exemptions - all vehicles licensed all the time.
2) Diesel miles to have an expiry date as well as km limit.
3) Front number plates for bikes, maybe a plate or sticker, but something for the speed camera/toll camera
4) Back rego to be paid if caught on road on un regd bike
5) WOF and REG done together as a pair, one fee
6)Fluorescent helmets and jackets for bikers
7) WOF to have mileage expiry as well as date

I actually like the everytime option myself.

[bogan]

So MAG and BRONZ don't have any way of getting a "heads up" when government departments start scheming ?

Do we have to try and work out all the nutty things they might be doing and send then a confirm-or-deny letter ?

If that is the case, I'll cheerfully do it. So lets try and think of what might want to be in the list, so I only have to send one letter not one every time we think of something goofy that they might want to do.

1) End to exemptions - all vehicles licensed all the time.
2) Diesel miles to have an expiry date as well as km limit.
3) Front number plates for bikes, maybe a plate or sticker, but something for the speed camera/toll camera
4) Back rego to be paid if caught on road on un regd bike
5) WOF and REG done together as a pair, one fee
6)Fluorescent helmets and jackets for bikers
7) WOF to have mileage expiry as well as date

trouble with that approach is you may start to give them ideas! It'd be nice if we were given warnings but I doubt the pollies want to operate that way. What we can do is personal action (write to them and tell em to get fucked) when we hear rumours bout such policys, then some local/national action (turn up in person and give the same message!) if it looks like they are getting serious about it.

[davereid]

trouble with that approach is you may start to give them ideas!

Lol.. yep, we are brighter than them.. don't want to be providing a menu !

So, Mom is there some way we can find out what scheming is going on without suggesting things ?

For example is MAG able to ask for information so it can "constructively comment" as a motorcyclist group or summat ?

I can't believe that they can spend tax payer money formulating stuff without some system existing for us to contribute-comment-object if we know how to get in the loop. We shouldn't need spies, they are allegedly our representatives !

MAG or BRONZ has to be the way for this to happen.

Letters to your MP are important after we know of the plans..

[RiderInBlack]

Actually this kind of BS From Nick Myth might be just the sort of thing we need ta get the NZ Bike community off their collected arses again as they did for the BIKEOI.
So how do we get it out to the average Joe Bloggs and get them revéd up. Not a good time for us to try getting Media attention with everything that has gone down for poor Old ChCh.
Bloody Polies never miss a F'n trick:angry:

[Maha]

Actually this kind of BS From Nick Myth might be just the sort of thing we need ta get the NZ Bike community off their collected arses again as they did for the BIKEOI.
So how do we get it out to the average Joe Bloggs and get them revéd up. Not a good time for us to try getting Media attention with everything that has gone down for poor Old ChCh.
Bloody Polies never miss a F'n trick:angry:

Correct Doug, National are doing a fine job of thing in Christchurch.
You have heard of MAG-NZ eh?
Have a look at the website, where we are at right now is unbelieveable to be honest, the support form the business sector alone is staggering. We are having our official Launch on 3.10.10 at Drury, that will be an amazing event on its own. The buzz is deafning.

[RiderInBlack]

Correct Doug, National are doing a fine job of thing in Christchurch.
You have heard of MAG-NZ eh?
Have a look at the website, where we are at right now is unbelieveable to be honest, the support form the business sector alone is staggering. We are having our official Launch on 3.10.10 at Drury, that will be an amazing event on its own. The buzz is deafning.Have got MAG-NZ's e-mail thanks, and am watch what MAG-NZ does with interest. I am hoping that a more powerful voice for bikers will come about out of all of this, but am not getting my hopes up too high. I know just how apathetic the average NZ'er is.

[NONONO]

Lol.. yep, we are brighter than them.. don't want to be providing a menu !

So, Mom is there some way we can find out what scheming is going on without suggesting things ?

For example is MAG able to ask for information so it can "constructively comment" as a motorcyclist group or summat ?

I can't believe that they can spend tax payer money formulating stuff without some system existing for us to contribute-comment-object if we know how to get in the loop. We shouldn't need spies, they are allegedly our representatives !

MAG or BRONZ has to be the way for this to happen.

Letters to your MP are important after we know of the plans..

There is a lot of "scheming" on the go at the moment, some of it just too unreal for me to comprehend, some of it unbelievable .......
MAG-NZ has not as yet officially launched, that comes, with a BANG, on the 3/10/2010, but we are putting together the "NZ Riders Are Voters Too" campaign.
Our guys in the UK, who have had some amazing success and a lengthy history of this stuff, are pushing suggestions our way as well as heads ups on what was not useful. We also have some fantastic home grown talent.
So it's a matter of "Do It" at the moment, and what's being done is phenominal.
Why not come along and ENJOY THE Ride....

[avgas]

This bullshit being trotted out again?
The 871 was new claims of a 'serious' nature. The 5044 was all claims - minor, serious and historical (which would include some of those 871 from 10 years before).
But in the 1900's there were no ACC claims from motorcyclists.
Therefore riding is bad.

[Pixie]

Also they don't have wofs or certs over there. If he's gonna assume causation from some correlating factors why not go the whole hog. Who knows, maybe the fear that a significant amount of numpty driver will also have thudfuckeried vehicles may make the general road user more attentive and less accident prone.

Over there the road police do their job and stop "piece of shit vehicles"