Demerit points hiked for unlicensed vehicles

[CookMySock]

Car enthusiasts (boy racers) have been putting their reg on hold for years, and cruising around like dicks, knowing that the worst that will happen is that they get $200 added to a fine total they will never pay. They have been trying that other old trick, registering their vehicles as agricultural equipment, or as a vehicle under restoration. Both of these things are true, arguably.

Some damn good ideas there! Car enthusiasts are little different to motorcycle enthusiasts, and if you don't think our turn is next, then think again.

The system needed to do something about it, and this is the result. This has been on the cards for longer than the ACC levy protest, so it's clear that it's not a result purely of that. It's an attempt to actually force compliance. Agree with it or not, I think it will cause a higher level of compliance than just fines.

Fuck compliance. I'm not hurting any person, I'm just objecting to every little price-jackup raised against me. Everyone feels the same pain, its just they don't have the balls to do anything about it, except to cry on some forum and act their annoyance out on someone else like its their fault or something.

Why cant we work together on this?

[rastuscat]

Fuck compliance.

Come on DB, say what you really mean.

[malfunconz]

dont care ... pay my way ...but..... many prev arguments right on the button . This punishment thing is gettin way outa line . At the end of the day theres a bean counter hidden away in his high rise in wellington whos figured out how many millions can be saved or made by changing the current system . Big deal you ride ya bike for a few months without paying the govt .... big criminal you . Maybe the police could quietly refuse to ticket the unlicensed biker . End game , is an unlicensed bike any more dangerous .....

[Voltaire]

If there ever was an argument for levying the driver, and not the vehicle, this would appear to be it.

I have two bikes, plus the car and it's getting out of hand, I only drive one at a time, etc.

Do you think MAG and BRONZ can have ANY effect in lobbying for a fairer road transport ACC collection system, or are they just going to insist in shafting multiple owners?

If ever there was time when the Govt needed money this would appear to be it.
I also have multiple bikes and cars but can't see them ever wanting to give up that nice little earner.
The US Govt is even looking at introducing a 'collectors' tax.....

[Bald Eagle]

End game , is an unlicensed bike any more dangerous .....

absolutely - that little sticker is an invisible safety barrier

[Toaster]

Wont stop me thats for sure (got fresh clean licence now anyway so should last me at least year or so hopefuly, i try to time my suspensions for winter when i dont ride much anyway)

...being suspended sucks since you cant realy speed and have to drive "nicely" in general but its definitely bearable if it comes down to that.... and it adds bit of excitement into boring everyday life

Yes it must suck, but it is 100% your choice mate.

Don't forget the police do track down suspended and disqualified drivers and riders and target them too. It will eventually mean impoundment and possible jail time.

Is it really worth it mate?

I hate paying these ridiculous fees too, but at least I can ride with a clear conscience and not a care in the world. Don't you think slowing down a bit and paying your dues is worth that freedom?

[Toaster]

Fuck compliance.

I wondered what the girl in your Avatars name was!

[CookMySock]

[...] police do track down suspended and disqualified drivers and riders and target them too. It will eventually mean impoundment and possible jail time. Is it really worth it mate?

I hate paying these ridiculous fees too, but at least I can ride with a clear conscience and not a care in the world. Don't you think slowing down a bit and paying your dues is worth that freedom?

It would be ok if the po po were even-handed, and I admit most often they are. I got stopped for a random breath check, which I admit is a good thing - that is, I take value from them doing this - it keeps society safe. But because I forgot to carry my wallet I get a $55 fine for not carrying my wallet! They can stick this up their jixie - it would be fair enough if they stung me fair and square for some stupid and dangerous stunt, but this is just random taxation. Fuck them. Lets see how they can turn a $55 fine into jail time - I'd like to see them try that one on.

In the end, as you suggest they are just more fees for using the road, and fucked if I am going to lubricate the kings' arse hole with my cash. I already ride with a clear conscience, its the govts conscience that needs a reality check. My stress level from fines is a result of their brutal approach, not my evasion of it.

[MSTRS:Me]

...But because I forgot to carry my wallet I get a $55 fine for not carrying my wallet!...

Somehow I doubt your wallet was the problem.

... I already ride with a clear conscience... My stress level from fines ...

So which is it?

[p.dath]

Fuck compliance. I'm not hurting any person, I'm just objecting to every little price-jackup raised against me.

You realise the "price", as in the cash that leaves your wallet for this offence, is being lowered? The fine will be less?

[p.dath]

There seems to be a common thread the Government is out to get your money. So lets take a step back for a minute.

ACC, as in the organisation that pays for your care after an accident, costs money. Lets pretend it costs $500m for the year.

No matter what, that is what the cost is. So the question is how to divy up the bill amongst us all. And in case it isn't really obvious, if one person pays less, or doesn't pay at all, then someone else has to pay more - we still need to collect the $500m to pay for everyone who has gotten hurt.

So when someone decides that their share of the ACC bill is not fair, and decides not to register their bike/car, what they are in actual fact doing is asking everyone else to pay their share. And they call that fair. I don't personally understand their logic.

And think about it. If next year 10% more people don't register their vehicles and pay their ACC fees, and it still costs $500m - what do you think will happen to the individual cost of ACC? It will, of course, increase so that $500m is still collected.


So please don't waste your breath by telling me you don't think it is fair that you shouldn't have to pay ACC and because of that you won't, and that you think I should pay part of your bill so you don't have to.

Instead, if your not happy with the service you are paying for - work on changing that, or work on changing how the bill is divided up - but do realise that no matter what, the same $500m has to be collected, and if you end up getting a smaller bill then it means someone else will end up getting a bigger bill.

[riffer]

Yep, member of both. And I have no doubt they will be doing everything they can. I wanted to know how they think they will get on. There doesn't seem to be a good reason why the vehicle itself needs to be levvied so highly. Afterall, the vehicle doesnt have the accident (mostly), the driver does.

Well, speaking with the BRONZ hat on, We've recently discussed this with Chris Hipkins (Labour ACC spokesperson) and they've absolutely no plans to shift ACC motor vehicle levies on to driver's licences.

And we all know National's position on this. As for the Greens they'd be happy to get rid of motor vehicles altogether.

So whilst I like the idea, I think you can rule that out.

Many people have called for the motoring portion of the ACC levies to be placed on petrol instead and, while the idea has merit, and Labour haven't ruled it out, the potential of alternative fuels coming onstream in the next two years would tend to put a spanner in those works.

Add to that the fact that we're in an election year and lawmaking is effectively stopped from end of May onwards, I'd suggest nothing will happen in this regard for at least 12 months, no matter what happens in the election.

TBH I think TPTB are concerned with RWC and Canty earthquake for the rest of the year (followed by the election) so we rate so far down the scale it ain't funny.

Best bet from now on would be finding ways to make this an electoral issue and lobby Political parties heavily from June onwards, hoping to get someone to listen while we build up to the RWC. There's just no time after then for them even to be bothered listening to us once they hit the hustings.

So, to sum up, I don't personally believe we will get any legislation passed this year, but we will be doing our utmost to keep this issue in their minds for the next government three-year cycle.

[MSTRS:Me]

Yeah, but under your scenario, ACC is actually collecting $750M pa against the $500M they spend. And they play the markets with that spare $250M to increase it.
A relative few who don't pay their regos are not hurting the overall picture.

[riffer]

BTW heard last night from reliable source that LAMS, removal of 70km/hr learner speed limit and CBTA were all approved by the last government, but this government has let it languish for the last 2.5 years.

So they really don't care about us unless they want more money.

[p.dath]

Yeah, but under your scenario, ACC is actually collecting $750M pa against the $500M they spend. And they play the markets with that spare $250M to increase it.
A relative few who don't pay their regos are not hurting the overall picture.

Doesn't matter how you dice it. If they budget to collect $750m, and less people pay their ACC rego, then everyone else gets to make up the shortfall.