ACC - Here we go again

[pete376403]

Interesting to read the difference between the number of road deaths per 100000 population in Australia and NZ. They have a population 5x ours, much greater distances between 'here and there' in rural Australia and much denser traffic in urban areas and yet they have a much lower road death rate per 100000 people. Why? What are they doing that we aren't?

I'm going to suggest that Australian authorities have embraced the second E of the three Es to lower road deaths. For those wondering, second E = enforcement.

Their whole approach to road rules enforcement is 'in your face' almost. Speed through a road works zone, limit 40km/h, and the excess speed is doubled and you are fined by that amount plus get demerit points. There are both highly visible traffic patrol vehicles and plain vehicles, plus the everyday police also act on driving issues.

Perhaps the Minister could forget about fancy roads and focus on spending big money on a traffic police force in this country.

How much it would lower the road death rate per 100000 I don't know, but I do suspect that the general standard of driving would improve.

What was it like in NT when they had no open road limit? Crash fatality stats available for that era?

[onearmedbandit]

Check out this list of countries.



.

I didn't realise we punched so far above our weight!

[pritch]

I drove around a blind corner at the weekend to find a Lime scooter on my side of the road coming straight for me. No helmet of course.

Then last night someone at a stop sign turned right as I was going straight ahead. It's scary out there sometimes!

It's the full moon. That affects some people unduly.

[Moi]

What was it like in NT when they had no open road limit? Crash fatality stats available for that era?

Sorry, no idea. I was using the figures in the data that Berries had linked.

[SaferRides]

What was it like in NT when they had no open road limit? Crash fatality stats available for that era?

I don't have the numbers, but I remember that it wasn't pretty compared to the rest of the country. But then not much of NT is urban with lower average speeds.

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[SaferRides]

It's the full moon. That affects some people unduly.

Of course, that's as good an explanation as any! Has this been investigated? Maybe there should be a curfew when there's a full moon?

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[jellywrestler]

Of course, that's as good an explanation as any! Has this been investigated? Maybe there should be a curfew when there's a full moon?

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fuck no, everyone needs to escape their wives somehow then

[Kickaha]

What was it like in NT when they had no open road limit? Crash fatality stats available for that era?

Fatalities went up

https://www.webbikeworld.com/nt-rest...pite-evidence/

https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/20...imits-imposed/

However that may not still be the same now and the NT overall has the worst crash statistics of any state

[rastuscat]

Perhaps the Minister could forget about fancy roads and focus on spending big money on a traffic police force in this country.
.

They have actually done that. The funding for road safety promotion and education has been significantly cut, while the budget for enforcement has been increased.

The argument for a separate traffic dept like we used to have is strong, but it's not supported at a high level, so won't fly any time soon.

[onearmedbandit]

They have actually done that. The funding for road safety promotion and education has been significantly cut, while the budget for enforcement has been increased.

The argument for a separate traffic dept like we used to have is strong, but it's not supported at a high level, so won't fly any time soon.

Are you able to elaborate on why it's not supported?

[rastuscat]

Are you able to elaborate on why it's not supported?

1. They would have to admit the merger was a mistake.
2. They would have to establish a second adminstration system.
3. They would have to reduce the number of people in the Police to staff the new dept
4. A separate set of buildings, a separate vehicle fleet

There were efficiencies gained when the merger happened. But it was at the cost of a lost focus on traffic policing.

That cost remains, where road policing FTEs get drawn off to general duties jobs, as happens regularly. The public expects the Police to do everything, which can never happen. Staff get allocated depending on priorities, which ebb and flow. The focus on enforcement is increasing under this government, but it's still inadequate to actually influence driver behaviour much.

A former District Road Policing Manager I know estimates that we would need around 10 times the current Road Policing FTEs to have an appreciable influence on driver behaviour. And that's not going to happen.

[pete376403]

Fatalities went up

https://www.webbikeworld.com/nt-rest...pite-evidence/

https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/20...imits-imposed/

However that may not still be the same now and the NT overall has the worst crash statistics of any state

Thanks for the links - appears that when there was no limit " "Territorians have always acted sensibly in open speed limit zones, with 85 per cent of drivers travelling between 133-139km/h; and most driving to the conditions," the minister said." so MOST people drove at around just over what the new limit has been set at. The other 15% will continue to ignore limits regardless. Pretty much what happens here as well.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/new...imits-extended

[onearmedbandit]

There were efficiencies gained when the merger happened. But it was at the cost of a lost focus on traffic policing.

Cheers. One other possible cost I can think of is the public image of the police took a beating now that they were tasked with the unenviable job of ticketing drivers instead of solely focusing on 'police' work. I was only 17 when the merger happened but I remember prior to that most of the public feared/hated the 'black and whites' and the police just did police stuff.

[rastuscat]

Cheers. One other possible cost I can think of is the public image of the police took a beating now that they were tasked with the unenviable job of ticketing drivers instead of solely focusing on 'police' work. I was only 17 when the merger happened but I remember prior to that most of the public feared/hated the 'black and whites' and the police just did police stuff.

Add to that the number of people who join the Police who don't want to do traffic work. It's regarded as second level, not "real policing".

When you had a separate department, the people who worked there were those who wanted to do that work. Like me, I got paid to ride a motorbike, what's not to like ?

[F5 Dave]

Think it was National that promised More Police. Delivered by merging TOs. Brilliant Spin Doctoring.