The ACC saga - a new approach.

[Katman]

Ever felt like you were banging your head against a brick wall?

Perhaps it's time we stopped looking upon ACC as the enemy and started considering ways we could work with them instead.

Maybe it's time we accepted the levy increase that has been imposed upon us and now divert our energy towards insuring there are no further increases.

The only way we will achieve that is by dramatically reducing the number of motorcycle accidents.

[DEATH_INC.]

Nice Idea. But maybe the focus should be on reducing injuries first, be a bit easier to implement. How many of us have sucked up acc $$$$ by crashing without gear? (yes, I've done it) Seen lotsa scooter riders, and plenty of m/c riders too without anything but a helmet and f-all else. And then there's the off-road stuff to work on.... it all goes in the stats

BTW, it's not that bad (the acc levy thing), we are still way better off than aussie, my mate over there pays about a grand a year for rego. And I can still crash down the road and some guy (or Gal) in a big white van wil come and pick me up, and take me to the hospital where all the doctors and nurses will put me back together for free. It could be a lot worse.

[MSTRS:Me]

Agreed, DeathInc.
Motorcycles are an inherently unstable machine, prone to many risks other than the rider, so asking for less crashes is a bit pie in the sky.
But gear....that's a different story. And one that will meet vehement opposition from all the It's My Right crowd. Strangely enough, not all of them are dickheads either...you'd think they could figure it out. Before legislation takes care of the problem.

[Katman]

so asking for less crashes is a bit pie in the sky.

Only to a defeatist.

The fact is that there are many ways we could reduce the number of motorcycle accidents.

More thorough basic training.
A change in attitude towards the way many of us use the road.
Improving situational awareness.
Accepting the fact that it's up to us to look out for our own safety because expecting others to do it for us will always end in tears.

I'm sure ACC would be prepared to help us try achieving all of those goals.

[onearmedbandit]

I think a lot of us have gone soft and become far too reliant on ACC.

If you fall off and graze your knee, go home and put a fucking plaster on it.

It doesn't need a team of medical specialists to administer sympathy.

True. When I had my accident in December I informed everyone there that I was fine, that I didn't require an ambulance (at the time I didn't know I had actually been thrown into a traffic pole and had broken my arm and shoulder) however a couple of people still rang through. When the ambo turned up I told them I was fine, but they still wanted to check me over. They were about to release me until they checked my heart rate and found that my heart beat was all over the show so they transported me.

One think (hey it's good enough for news readers!) that has changed now is I won't ride anywhere without full gear now. I was wearing my boots, glove, jacket (leather AStar) and helmet, and I suffered no abrasions on any of those areas. However as I was leaving work I only had my work pants on. It was a week before I could walk properly again from the damage to my knees.


[edit - I should point out that my heart was fine and that it was 10 days before the breaks were noticed. I really didn't need that ambulance]

[DEATH_INC.]

One other little sidenote, the rego on my 4WD is about $50 more than my bike.....and I don't think I've ever fallen off that.

[onearmedbandit]

Seriously, how do we go about reducing the number of accidents? Better rider training? That's pretty much the only thing I can think of, and unless the Govt makes it a part of the license requirements not many new (or old) riders will take it up. Maybe working with insurance companies to get rider courses recognised and offer a cheaper premium?

[Katman]

Seriously, how do we go about reducing the number of accidents? Better rider training? That's pretty much the only thing I can think of, and unless the Govt makes it a part of the license requirements not many new (or old) riders will take it up. Maybe working with insurance companies to get rider courses recognised and offer a cheaper premium?

I'm sure the powers that be would treat us a whole lot more seriously if we were seen to be pushing for a higher standard of basic motorcycle training and stricter licensing requirements.

[onearmedbandit]

I'm sure the powers that be would treat us a whole lot more seriously if we were seen to be pushing for a higher standard of basic motorcycle training and stricter licensing requirements.

Agreed. So how do you propose we acheive this. And I mean we. I don't think there would be any motorcyclist who wouldn't benefit from higher training, no matter their level of riding. So this is something that would not only benefit us in being better viewed by the PTB but also make us better, and therefore safer, riders, and in the long term we won't be paying through the nose so much. Are BRONZ doing anything as a national movement? Is anyone?

[MSTRS:Me]

Defeatist? No - realist. I'm guessing you are talking about changing riders' attitudes? If they can't figure out the benefits of ATGATT, how do you propose changing their riding habits?

[onearmedbandit]

Defeatist? No - realist. I'm guessing you are talking about changing riders' attitudes? If they can't figure out the benefits of ATGATT, how do you propose changing their riding habits?

Which is why it's important to start with the basics. Ie proper riding gear and basic maintainance.

[Katman]

Agreed. So how do you propose we acheive this. And I mean we. I don't think there would be any motorcyclist who wouldn't benefit from higher training, no matter their level of riding. So this is something that would not only benefit us in being better viewed by the PTB but also make us better, and therefore safer, riders, and in the long term we won't be paying through the nose so much. Are BRONZ doing anything as a national movement? Is anyone?

I would suggest that courses the likes of RRRS and Roadsafe (apologies to any other riding courses of a similar standard that I've failed to mention) should be the minimum requirement for getting your provisional license.

The current BHS standard is laughable. I have first hand knowledge of riders getting their Basic Handling Skills certificate when they can't even negotiate a slow speed corner without encroaching on the other side of the road.

Riders should not be handed a provisional license until they have the confidence to be able to make basic life-saving decisions instantly.

[MSTRS:Me]

Which is why it's important to start with the basics. Ie proper riding gear and basic maintainance.

That would work with new riders. What about the thousands out there right now? The ones who've honed their habit/s and survived so far?

[Genestho]

Is anyone?

Yes Indeedy - there are people already working with ACC within the the Motorcycling community, I'm aware of three centres, the levy protests held up progression in my local area, but things are back on track.

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.

The undertone of any possible change is down to the individual to want to achieve change as well.

[onearmedbandit]

I remember when I did my test back in 1990. It taught me nothing about riding. Now I realise it was just that, a test, but I had my road bike license before I properly understood how a road bike works.