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Thread: Letters to the Editor

  1. #1
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    Letters to the Editor

    A week ago I submitted a letter to the Otago Daily Times. I had almost given up hope of seeing it when it appeared today. Unabridged, and unchanged in any way. I can't find it on their web site, but here is what i sent:


    The ACC would have us believe that motorcycles are 16 times more likely to be involved in an accident than cars. Yet the Ministry of Transport 2008 crash statistics shows that motorcycles are involved in 142 injury or fatal accidents per 10000 vehicles compared to the overall rate of 47 injury accidents per 10000 vehicles. This means that motorcycles are more dangerous, but 3 times not 16 times more dangerous.

    The ACC would have us believe that "The levy should actually be $3700 " - quoted often by John Key. But $3700 on every bike comes to $370 million . More than the total paid out each year for ALL active vehicle claims, car van or bike, since the scheme began.

    The ACC would have us believe that even at the new rate they have suggested, "Every car driver is paying an extra $77 because of motorcyclists". That works out at $250 million. Four times as much as the total cost of all active ACC claims for motorcycles since the beginning of the scheme.

    The ACC would have us believe that large capacity bikes are over represented in the accident data with almost 40% of motorcycle accidents involving bikes of over 600 cc. Yet the motor vehicle registration data shows that over 40% of registered motorcycles are over 600 cc. The accident data also shows that the most common size of bike involved in accidents is under 250 cc, which is exactly the size that learners are restricted to. The ACC management really needs to go back to school and learn what 2 plus 2 equals.

    In response to the ACC’s unsound claims there is to be a national day of protest on the 17th November when motorcyclists from all over the country will converge on parliament to make their feelings known. Otago riders joining in this protest will leave from Dunedin and Alexandra on 15th November.

    Yours Sincerely
    So come on all. Send more letters to your local papers and make sure that the public are aware of the false claims.
    Time to ride

  2. #2
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    Well thought out - well done!
    "May all your traffic lights be green and none of your curves have oncoming semis in them." Rocky, American Biker.
    "Those that give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin, 18th C.

  3. #3
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    Bling bro, and see ya on the 17th
    Just ride.

  4. #4
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    Community papers can almost be guaranteed to run letters like Jantar's. Keep them short, devoid of personal attacks, include facts, and success will be yours! Try humour or droll wit. Readers of letters columns like to be entertained.

    Don't forget North & South and The Listener, in addition to daily newspapers.
    "Standing on your mother's corpse you told me that you'd wait forever." [Bryan Adams: Summer of 69]

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jantar View Post
    A week ago I submitted a letter to the Otago Daily Times. I had almost given up hope of seeing it when it appeared today. Unabridged, and unchanged in any way. I can't find it on their web site, but here is what i sent:
    Well said ...

  6. #6
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    Good letter. Very good.

  7. #7
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    Brilliant letter Malcolm, well done. I shall fire up my e-mailing of letters to The Editor presently; Mr Hitcher's advice is also spot on..........
    "If you haven't grown up by the time you turn 50, you don't have to!"

  8. #8
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    I just happened to read the ODT on that day too, saw your letter to the editor and wondered if it was from you. Well done
    (OO\SKYLINE/OO)


  9. #9
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    Superb letter very nicely done.

  10. #10
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    Top show mate

    Great letter!!!!!!!!!!

  11. #11
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    Jantar can I copy that and send it to my local as well as the Herald?
    PZR
    I'm one of the worlds best riders. I can wheelie, I can stoppie, I can stunt, hell I can get my shoulder down. I could keep up with Rossie if I wanted to race.

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  12. #12
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    Those people who want to copy and post to their own paper may be disapointed. Most papers wont publish a letter if has already been published elsewhere.

    What I would suggest is that you continue the theme and write to your local paper pointing out other things that ACC have got wrong. Just choose 3 or 4 items, and include a reference if the data seems obscure.

    If you want to use my letter, then I suggest you reword into your own words rather than cut and paste. But please do keep the letters to the editor flowing in.
    Time to ride

  13. #13
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    Malcolm,

    I've just written to the Hauraki Herald. I did make mention of statistics but my main point is that no amount of increase on ACC levies will actually reduce accidents as it doesn't address the root cause, namely poor driving standards and in particular; lack of situational awareness. The increase is just "cost plus" mentality and therefore discriminatory and ineffective. I'm pushing for a higher level of driver training and examination. I think people's eyes glaze over when statistics are debated ad nauseum, including mine

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