Road Safety Research!

[GurlRacer]

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! 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]

the cheese cutter board, lol.

[GurlRacer]

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

[vtec]

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]

...

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]

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]

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]

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?

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

[Blackshear]

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?

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

[Burtha]

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.

[ElCoyote]

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]

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]

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]

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

[peasea]

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.