Road Safety Research! [Archive]

View Full Version : Road Safety Research!

GurlRacer

25th March 2009, 12:22

Hey guys!

I've been given a university assessment to write a mother-ass essay on Road Safety in New Zealand. Part of the question involves "What are the main causes of road deaths and serious injury in New Zealand, what is being done to improve road safety and how effective are these strategies?"

So, if you have any interesting news articles, journal entries etc could you pleaseeeee forward them on to me! :D Or even, some ideas about this would be good too!

Also, what are some of your ideas to improve road safety? I will take all suggestions into account... ie, if motorcyclists have to do a basic handling course, why don't car drivers have to do defensive driving? etc.

Thanks!

sunhuntin

25th March 2009, 12:32

the cheese cutter board, lol.

GurlRacer

25th March 2009, 12:51

Ahh ha.
I'll be sure to put that in ;)

vtec

25th March 2009, 13:12

Ok, distraction or driver inattention is the number one cause of accidents on NZ roads. One initiative that they are taking is banning the use of handheld cellphones. Haven't thought of any other ideas. What about encouraging 3 point safety harnesses and full face helmets? Currently these safety measures seem to be frowned upon. Maybe they could encourage roll cages too, but if you have one of the three you have to get all of them.

Most of the initiatives they take seem to be against speeding. And speed when used appropriately isn't dangerous. It's the combination of speeding without allowing for obstacles to appear. So there is a time and a place, and most of speed traps seem to be set up in the safest places to speed or in overtaking lanes where it's safer to get the ovetake done by going above the speed limit than sitting next to someone. Hence the public gets the impression that it's merely revenue generation.

What should be done to decrease road accidents? Install a proper electric rail and public transport system so we burn less fossil fuels, become more energy independant and reduce congestion. A lot of road aggression appears to be because of people frustrated out of their minds. What else.

Use road paint that tyres can grip. I'm very sure that a lot of cars have even been put off the road by slippery road paint not just motorbikes.

Maybe build more concrete roads... they last much longer, don't need resealing regularly, don't get tar weeping which is extremely slippery when wet.

Just been doing a bit of travel recently and seen how they do things in other parts of the world. I'm currently in California. Public transport was far superior in Melbourne, but it's still far better her than Auckland. But they have a lot of concrete roads here, and it's bloody good to see. No pot holes, no road works on these sections, nearly no maintenance.

Nasty

25th March 2009, 13:15

...

Also, what are some of your ideas to improve road safety? I will take all suggestions into account... ie, if motorcyclists have to do a basic handling course, why don't car drivers have to do defensive driving? etc.

Thanks!

Basic Handling does nothing to teach defensive riding skills - which defensive driving course trys to do. So that comparison seems irrelevant in that way.

What I don't understand is why defensive driving is not compulsory for both car drivers and those on bikes. I know that taking that course definately made me far more aware in car and on bike.

Brian d marge

25th March 2009, 13:31

its all been posted on kb before ,,, have a look at Canada , LTSA statistics ..

they are very well detailed and pretty well written

again ( under what name I am not sure ,,I know I have back in the past ) ...

good luck

Stephen

I put it down to testosterone ,,,,far to much of the stuff in NZ

Squiggles

25th March 2009, 13:33

Driver education... If mum drives like shit (bad attitude, poor understanding of road rules, etc) then what good will she be as an instructor?

CookMySock

25th March 2009, 13:37

Blackshear

25th March 2009, 13:57

The motorcycle BHS test is pretty daft really. Its just makes sure people can balance on a two-wheeled thing (what NZ'ers can't?) and that they can brake and steer.

Oh, but its for speeds under 30km/hr.. So whats the point of the BHS test then? :blink:

My French mate from France, heh, says they had to do some cone weave thing over there, and if you don't know and trust the countersteering method of steering, you WONT pass the test.

So some basic steering tuition wouldn't go astray in my opinion, but teaching people to ride a sportbike properly will be seen as racing, and I dont think that will ever go down well.

I think the bottom line is, people need cut out the high-speed antics, increase following distances, watch what they're doing, and take responsibility for their own riding. But many people just aren't capable or interested in doing that.

Steve
What this guy right here said.

I understand they can't go letting total fatheads wobbling everywhich way on the road, but the speed at which is conducted cries for more depth. Handling is harder at low speeds for new people, but when the fact is that the moment they get their licence, it's up to 70k's for them. Handling and braking changes a bit.

The poor ginny that I (everyone) BHS'd, was old and 'It's not a racecourse'
-BHS instructor. Also, that particular GN had absolutely ABYSMAL brakes, akin to two cheese slices rubbing against butter. He said 'then slow to a stop in front of me'. I certainly did slow, but stopping even WITH A ROCK SHATTERINGLY TIGHT GRIP was not possible.

I did enjoy that bike though, t'was a fun wee thing :yes:

Burtha

25th March 2009, 14:13

I have a curiousity about the sale and use of those lovely flourescent vests etc ie; percentage of sales to bikers and how many of them actually use them etc ...

I have one, but usually only need to use it when I'm wearing bland clothing (as I often wear bright pink and other obvious colours on a white bike at present), or on a dull day or at night.

What the effect they have on detering an accident and how effective they are in general.

just a thought.

:blink:

ElCoyote

25th March 2009, 14:23

Sack the entire staff at the LTSA-LTA or whatever they call themselves this week and employ people with commonsense and intelligence. LTSA are bereft of both. The only other criteria would be the successful applicants must have 5 years experience riding (motor)bikes.

Trade in all fixed speed cameras and exchange for red light cameras.

Make the driving test significantly harder.

Tank

25th March 2009, 14:26

I think the bottom line is, people need cut out the high-speed antics, increase following distances, watch what they're doing, and take responsibility for their own riding. But many people just aren't capable or interested in doing that.

Steve

Speaking of high speed antics (that you say people need to cut out) and testing....

Remember this guy on his way to do his 6R? A fantastic role model for all learners. (didnt you want to be a mentor??)

Heh I thought I was late for my R test (clock on bike was fast) everyone on the road I passed musta wondered what the fuck a noisy 650 vtwin was doing passing everyone at 140k with a fucken learner plate on.

DB

Mully

25th March 2009, 14:33

Make sure you attribute properly, or you'll get done for plagerising.

Actually, I'd love to see that footnote:
(1) Dangerous Bastard, Kiwibiker website, 25/03/09

GurlRacer

25th March 2009, 14:40

:lol: :lol: somehow I don't think that would be accepeted as a reference... I asked for references if anyone had any good articles I could use... Vic now uses www.turnitin.com which is a pain in the ass for us, but good for them!

But I do need to present some ideas about how this can be improved... hence these ideas coming out!

Thanks for all your comments lads :D

peasea

25th March 2009, 14:40

Speaking of high speed antics (that you say people need to cut out) and testing....

Remember this guy on his way to do his 6R? A fantastic role model for all learners. (didnt you want to be a mentor??)

Oh that was good.:jerry:

Tank

25th March 2009, 16:33

Oh that was good.:jerry:

I consider it a public service, and you are welcome - of course according to the message he sent me - I'm on his ignore list again - so he no longer gets the benefit of my wit and wisdom.

peasea

25th March 2009, 16:45

I consider it a public service, and you are welcome - of course according to the message he sent me - I'm on his ignore list again - so he no longer gets the benefit of my wit and wisdom.

All I can say is; "keep up the good work".

sunhuntin

25th March 2009, 16:53

more and compulsory signage where there is ANY road work being done, with the contractors up for a fine if that signage is not put out. if there are injuries, the fine goes higher. fatality, jail time for whoever is in charge of the signs.

MacD

25th March 2009, 18:00

manwithav8

25th March 2009, 22:13

Hey racergurl, nice to meet you tonight on the ride, this assessment your doing could be interesting. Maybe you put up a link to your findings when you have completed it.

One area I think needs to be looked at seriously is the state of some of the vehicles on our roads. I know this contributes to slot of deaths. We have laws about modified vehicles requiring certs etc, why can't the automotive industry follow the building industry?
By that I mean any work that is safety critical on cars trucks and bikes, IE steering, brakes and suspension, only registered mechanics should carry out the work and either stamp or plate it with their registration number. That way there is larger scope for the policing of keeping " crap " off our roads.

Just my 2c. Seems everyone gets wrapped around the axles when these disscussions come to light, maybe a little out of the box thinking or a different approach might get the tutors attention.

Nasty

25th March 2009, 22:16

Grub did a whole pile of research on cheesecutters .. I will see what i can find . . I have a copy of his hard drive here.

Dargor

25th March 2009, 22:22

You could talk about the governments efforts to give us top quality roads. [/sarcasm]

TOTO

25th March 2009, 22:35

Hey, there is a very very interesting article exactly on your topic on the first post of this thread - http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=94644

its a pdf attachment.

nana_mac

25th March 2009, 23:17

Make our roads safer by removing all advertising and bill boards from main highways, as they are distractions.Raise the drinking age to 20. make it law and police the use of cell phones. Remove all cheese cutters from our highways. The speed limit needs to be raised to 110-120 as we have good highways.

sunhuntin

26th March 2009, 06:39

Make our roads safer by removing all advertising and bill boards from main highways

i fully agree. theres a real bitch of a corner a little ways north of here. its 100k and requires full concentration. strangely, theyve thought it a good idea to put at least two billboards, one facing the northbound lane, the other facing southbound. at last check, one was a speed camera photo with a caption of 'the last family photo', never mind the fact that it might the last family trip as the driver tries to bloody read it. fecking stupid as your eyes are drawn away from the road.

GurlRacer

26th March 2009, 09:24

Thanks guys! :D appreciate all the suggesions...

Thought I'd share this with you, something I got off another car forum. Don't think they realise I love motorbikes :laugh:

Ideas to improve:
WELL! keep the bikies off the road :) if buses can have bus lanes bikes and motorbikes can have their own lanes.
More public transport e.g. SUBWAY would be REALLY REALLY good, cut the traffic right down in Auckland.

Third party insurance compulsory, so everyone is covered!!

Burtha

26th March 2009, 16:43

Thanks for all your comments lads :D

hmmph :oi-grr:

me fluorescent vests not bright enuf for ya ? :D

merv

26th March 2009, 17:51

In terms of what needs to be done to improve safety the three "E's" apply:

Engineering, education and enforcement. Unfortunately the last one using the Police is probably the cheapest and easiest to apply and there is so much focus on road improvement ahead of education.

See if you can write up your thoughts on these.

bezajel

29th March 2009, 11:44

Hey GurlRacer et al...

I'm also shortly going to be doing an assignment (well, a research proposal), and i thought looking at road/motorcycle safety as a topic. I'd be particularly interested in links on where to find info on stats such as numbers/increases in motorcycle usage (eg. registrations?) and crashes/their causes (ACC? other places?)

In case you're getting private suggestions as well... would you be able to post a summary of useful links/resources up here once you're done? If so that would be greatly cool, and I'll also chip in if I find anything interesting (though not planning to start for a couple of weeks).

Here are the kb pages of interest I've marked, though not all will apply to your work!:

http://delicious.com/bezajel/motorcycle+health

Thanks all! :hug: