NOT GOOD, Worst deaths in 19 years

[old slider]

I guess we're standing at the same music stand and singing from the same score, and I'd, also, suggest that there are a few others on KB that would join us in the choir. The CAA site shows it can be done and sets a bench-mark for MSAC and ACC and the Police to follow, but I'm not holding my breath.

I agree about removing off-road crashes and those on farms involving either bikes or quads, but I somehow doubt ACC will do that. However, I do wonder if the crash in Cromwell you reference was a true off-road crash? Was he just being a fool on an off-road bike after a few too many drinks? Perhaps harsh but true if what was reported is to be believed: speed, alcohol and no helmet contributed to his death.

If we, as a country, are serious about reducing the road toll then we have to be serious about driving and riding, serious about talking about what caused the death/injury and serious about doing something about it. Until that happens the "she'll be right, mate" attitude will prevail.

Ride aware and ride safe.

I live on a long straight sealed public road that gives several access points to the local beach, Everyday mostly mornings and evenings as the sun is at the worst height for bikers (visibility by other road users) they race up and down to get on the beach using many modes of bikes, there are varying types of quads, high powered motorcross, trail bikes etc, often it is Mum on the quad with little baby junior, Dads on a big grunty 4 stroke, the teenagers on high reving 2 smokers and the middle kids (4-9)yrs are on a 50 or 80cc mini bike , then there is the older or retired couples on their side x sides with fishing gear hanging off the tray. They are all in a mad rush to get onto the beach. The 2 to 5 kilometres of public roading needs to be covered as quickly as possible rather than travelling sedately until getting onto the open sandy race track where its mostly then the kids playing and other pedestrians who are risk. We have had several fatalities on the public roads around here, mostly Quads tipping over and unregistered off road two wheelers.

[russd7]

Fatal on the Crown Range yesterday - https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/queenstown/lifesaving-efforts-no-avail. This will be forgotten about in a couple of days by everyone bar family and witnesses. But what happened? The story and photo don't make for good reading.

if ya read the article it pretty much states what happened, what it doesn't state is how he came to be on the wrong side of the road so therefor conclusions are jumped to

[Tazz]

mostly Quads tipping over and unregistered off road two wheelers.

Natural selection.

[AllanB]

Media shit -

The latest Ministry of Transport figures showed 54 motorcyclists died on New Zealand roads in 2015.

A further 1181 motorcyclists were injured in crashes.


How many car, truck, tractor drivers were injured in 2015?

Here: I found it all on the NZ transport website.


Motor Vehicle Crashes in New Zealand 2015

During the 2015 calendar year there were:

291 fatal road crashes
9,446 injury crashes
319 deaths
12,270 people injured
Casualty rates for 2015 were:

0.9 deaths per 10,000 vehicles
35 injuries per 10,000 vehicles
6.9 deaths per 100,000 population
267 injuries per 100,000 population
As well as the road crash statistics from CAS, Motor Vehicle Crashes in New Zealand includes national hospital, breath and blood alcohol, road user behaviour and comparative international statistics which relate to road crashes.

Reported injury crashes 2015

[Moi]

I live on a long straight sealed public road that gives several access points to the local beach ... We have had several fatalities on the public roads around here, mostly Quads tipping over and unregistered off road two wheelers.

Fair point. I should have made my position clearer. If the crash involves an off-roader or quad on public road then it is counted as "road crash", but those that happen on private property should not be counted as "bike accident" by ACC for statistical purposes.

What you describe beggars belief, but of course they're applying the "she'll be right" attitude...

[george formby]

What you describe beggars belief, but of course they're applying the "she'll be right" attitude...

I've resisted commenting thus far but your Kiwi-ism sums up my feelings about learning from experience. Far to often I hear drivers and riders complaining about others when they have a scare or off road excursion, blaming anything other than themselves. Classic lines like "I've been driving / riding 40 years", "it happened to fast to do anything", "it just skidded", "I don't know how it happened", "they should have moved", "he was going to fast", "gravel on the road", "a Pukeko knocked me off", etc.

The only people who learn from experience are those who are actually interested in learning, improving themselves. At times, the lack of thought about consequences is terrifying. Far to many road users limit their forward thinking to the distance they are looking ahead, a few feet in front of their vehicle. Bring it up in conversation and the strident cliches roll out. "My driving / riding is fine, the fact I'm sat here to say it is proof of that".

As is being suggested, hard facts from accidents may shake a few stubborn souls enough to recognize their own behaviour and make positive changes.

[old slider]

Fair point. I should have made my position clearer. If the crash involves an off-roader or quad on public road then it is counted as "road crash", but those that happen on private property should not be counted as "bike accident" by ACC for statistical purposes.

What you describe beggars belief, but of course they're applying the "she'll be right" attitude...

I love seeing people having some fun, but crikey many of these lunatics are not only risking themselves but the kids playing on the footpaths and other Law abiding road users. we are currently very privileged to be able to ride our unregistered bikes, quads etc from all around this suburb down to the beach, but I can see it wont be too many years before we have to load everything onto a trailer or a ute to travel these short distances.

[george formby]

I love seeing people having some fun, but crikey many of these lunatics are not only risking themselves but the kids playing on the footpaths and other Law abiding road users. we are currently very privileged to be able to ride our unregistered bikes, quads etc from all around this suburb down to the beach, but I can see it wont be too many years before we have to load everything onto a trailer or a ute to travel these short distances.

Beaches up here are being actively policed because of ignorant, selfish attitudes. Like at your place it's common to see vehicles flying along access roads and on the beaches regardless of kids, dogs, dust, Pukeko's etc. The attitude of the perpetrators is usually self entitlement.

[Moi]

... As is being suggested, hard facts from accidents may shake a few stubborn souls enough to recognize their own behaviour and make positive changes.

I do wonder if even for them it will be: There Are None So Blind As Those Who Will Not See
... Heywood, Swift and others.

[nzspokes]

Following a truck while they block your vision they will and not you be wearing a head on if a muppet coming the other way decides to cross the centre line.

What the actual fuck are you trying to say? English a second language?

[Moi]

I love seeing people having some fun, but crikey many of these lunatics are not only risking themselves but the kids playing on the footpaths and other Law abiding road users. we are currently very privileged to be able to ride our unregistered bikes, quads etc from all around this suburb down to the beach, but I can see it wont be too many years before we have to load everything onto a trailer or a ute to travel these short distances.

Agree.

However, you've used the word that will mean the end of it all for those who are sensible... "lunatics" and with that the lowest common denominator theory kicks in...

[george formby]

What the actual fuck are you trying to say? English a second language?

Yoda speak. The Farce is strong. Hmmmmm.

[Akzle]

I just perhaps have a different style that they can not comprehend.

oh i'm pretty sure we comprehend #ridingintoshitrepeatedly.

...we just don't think it's styley

[scumdog]

most people don't rely on luck not to ride in to shit.


.

An awful lot don't realise that only luck prevented them ending up in a tangle of steel and flesh...

[Berries]

if ya read the article it pretty much states what happened, what it doesn't state is how he came to be on the wrong side of the road

My point being that we will never know because it will be forgotten about and just become another statistic for us to be beaten with. Rather than that why don't we take to opportunity to learn something, to learn what to do or what not to do in similar circumstances? Could save someone else.