ACC - Should wearing safety gear be a legal requirement?

**BiK3RChiK** · 8th September 2009, 18:14

NO! Who has never jumped on their bike to pootle down the road, round the block, nip out for something, and not put all their gear on bar maybe gloves as well as their lawfully required helmet? I know I have.... The last thing we need is more bureaucratic BS to wade through!

**gatch** · 8th September 2009, 18:26

I don't like the idea of forcing people to wear gear, more emphasis should be placed into preventing the accident from happening, ie driver education.

Me thinks this would save way more cash than making it illegal to ride without being cocooned in bubble wrap..

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 8th September 2009, 18:32

Originally Posted by gatch

Me thinks this would save way more cash than making it illegal to ride without being cocooned in bubble wrap..

gotta have bubble wrap

**Drew** · 8th September 2009, 18:33

The system the way it is, I can stop paying ACC now. I dont have to have another insurer either.

I have to provide a lengthy written out plan, on what will happen should I get hurt at work, and how I'd pay for shit.

Were I to get that sorted, I'm still covered for injury outside of work.

Flethcers do this now, so how do their staff still get ACC when they get injured outside of work?

**ManDownUnder** · 8th September 2009, 18:38

Oh God yes it should be. Everything should be of the highest rating, full cover from head to toe, one piece, body armour, sliders and steel capped/reinforced boots. We need to extend the reach of the legislation to include bicycles, skateboards, in fact anyone that faces the prospect of abrading themselves against the ground at any speed able to draw blood.

Which reminds me... children need to be fully armoured from birth.

Or... we could perhaps focus on educating people to the dangers they expose themselves to... and leaving them free to make an informed choice, on the basis they accept the legal, financial and physical consequences.

**James Deuce** · 8th September 2009, 18:45

This hobby horse is starting to look like a llama.

**Pedrostt500** · 8th September 2009, 18:54

Originally Posted by James Deuce

This hobby horse is starting to look like a llama.

So thats one of them sheep with a long neck and long legs.

**p.dath** · 8th September 2009, 19:05

Originally Posted by Grahameeboy

Its funny that they categorise injuries even though it is suppose to be no blame and because they think we are "to blame" they charge us more.

I think we are a high risk so fair enough like Insurance (which is what ACC is to a point) the levy should reflect this..to a point.

No blame means they pay for your medical care even if your at fault.

The stats are used to determine how much each activity is costing for medical cover, and those people that participate in those activities pay there share.

Motorcyclists are currently not paying their share.

**p.dath** · 8th September 2009, 19:07

Originally Posted by ManDownUnder

...
Or... we could perhaps focus on educating people to the dangers they expose themselves to... and leaving them free to make an informed choice, on the basis they accept the legal, financial and physical consequences.

I ask again - are you planning on forcing education on people? What if they don't want to be educated to the risks you perceive?

So it seems we are now arguing what to force on people, rather than if we should make them do something.

**bogan** · 8th September 2009, 19:15

Originally Posted by p.dath

I ask again - are you planning on forcing education on people? What if they don't want to be educated to the risks you perceive?

So it seems we are now arguing what to force on people, rather than if we should make them do something.

They are doomed, darwin says we'll be better off for it too. Something needs to be done for rider education though, theres bugger all about even for people who want (and would pay) for such things.

**MarkH** · 8th September 2009, 20:43

Originally Posted by BiK3RChiK

Who has never jumped on their bike to pootle down the road, round the block, nip out for something, and not put all their gear on bar maybe gloves as well as their lawfully required helmet?

Me!! But it has been MY choice to don the jacket, gloves & boots! I don't need the government to say that I can't think for myself and they will tell me what to do and what not to do. I am happy to follow ATGATT, but by my choice.

Should bike riders wear decent safety gear? Yes!

Should wearing safety gear be legislated by our eternally incompetent government? No!

**Grahameeboy** · 8th September 2009, 20:45

Originally Posted by p.dath

No blame means they pay for your medical care even if your at fault.

The stats are used to determine how much each activity is costing for medical cover, and those people that participate in those activities pay there share.

Motorcyclists are currently not paying their share.

Mmmm....re-read my post.........

**Grahameeboy** · 8th September 2009, 20:46

Originally Posted by p.dath

I ask again - are you planning on forcing education on people? What if they don't want to be educated to the risks you perceive?

So it seems we are now arguing what to force on people, rather than if we should make them do something.

Then are dumb...............

**p.dath** · 8th September 2009, 21:15

Originally Posted by Grahameeboy

Then are dumb...............

re: not taking up free education

So then if we have a group of people not taking up free education, not wearing safety gear, and having accidents, what should we do?

Nothing, and accept the higher ACC premium from a failure to achieve reduced costs to ACC, or some form of regulation?

e,g. If your convicted of some driving charge (say careless driving or worse) 3 times you have compulsory "re-education" before you get your licence back? Doesn't help after the accident has happened of course.
e,g. Regulate that they wear safety gear, so they can be removed from the road (very un-popular according to the poll)?
e,g. Just accept it as the cost of freedom, and be dammed pleased we have the choice?