Monday 25 October 2010
In the wake of a dismal result from the lower 4kph national speed tolerance levels set by police for this Labour weekend, ACC and NZ Police have reviewed crash statistics and enacted bold new legislation.
By comparing the crash results from this sunny Labour weekend to the single fatality in this years rainy Queen's Birthday weekend, they have identified an alarming new factor in increasing road fatalities.
Coming into effect from December 1st this year, ACC will be charging a Sunshine Levy for drivers who wish to operate their vehicles on fine sunny days. ACC Chief Executive Rob Thepoor explains that "the escalating costs of sunshine driving accidents cannot be ignored but ACC wants to work with you on improving safety".
"Setting these levy rates has been a difficult balance of minimising the cost increases on families and businesses, keeping the pressure on ACC to better manage its costs," he says.
All drivers planning to drive on sunny days will be expected to pay the new levy cost of $212.72, and will be required to display a sunshine levy sticker.
Along with the new levies, Transport minister Steven Joyce has also announced changes to driver licensing. Mr Joyce says the Government’s changes are aimed at improving training for novice and returning sunshine drivers, which will coincide with the end of the long rainy season.
Mr. Joyce explains "Sunny day drivers are 20 times more at risk of being involved in a fatal or serious injury crash than rainy day drivers per kilometre driven. With more sunshine every day, these steps are vital to keep drivers safe on the road."
This initiative will introduce a new 'S' licence class. Current licence holders will have one year to pass a 'S' class licence extension, with drivers over 25 able to reduce this time to 6 months with a Sun-Shine Driving (SSD) course.
Drivers wishing to drive only on rainy days or after dark will effectively be exempted from the law changes. Should these drivers be caught out and about on sunny days however, the new legislation will give police more power, including the confiscation of vehicles.
Police minister Judith Collins explains that "three offences over four years means the car is heading to the crusher. That's for offences like sunny day drives to the beach and refusal to upgrade licences."
"Every new offence will now bring them closer to the crusher," says Collins.
The new Sun-Shine Driving campaign is a joint operation by police, NZTA and ACC. “Our main target audience today are those returning drivers, so they've perhaps driven in the sunshine last summer and are coming back to sunny day driving now,” says Eileen Dover of the ACC Prevention Centre.
“Make sure their skill level is up to date, know how to handle the sunshine and know the sun.”
Police say those at risk fall into two clear age groups: 25-30 year olds and those over 50.
And the message was simple:
“Wear good sunglasses, keep your levies paid, keep your licence legal, and just obey the rules,” says senior constable Jack Haas.
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and a survey is underway to determine whether wet and rainy conditions require levies as well as the sunny and dry, due to the lower amount of grip available. ACC have stated that there are plenty of not sunny and not rainy days to travel, senior counstable Jack Haas said "as long as it's mildy moist, go for it"
Originally Posted by bogan
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