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NEWS
Public hearing blasts TAC ad
The much-maligned TAC ‘reconstruction ad was put under the spotlight in special submissions to the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Motorcycle SafetyNearly 60 motorcyclists gathered at Victoria’s Parliament house in Melbourne on August 31 to hear a special submission made by riders’ groups representatives on the subject of the latest motorcycle ‘safety’ adv advertisement from the government-owned Transport Accident Commission (TAC).
The submissions were made to the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Motorcycle Safety, whose members vigorously questioned the credibility of both the advertisement and the TAC.
The rider representatives, including the Victorian Motorcycle Council (VMC) and the Australian Riders’ Division of Motorcycling Australia (MA), presented a detailed case demonstrating flaws in the TAC's approach towards motorcycling and supporting the claim that the latest advertisement vilifies motorcycle riders by perpetuating a public perception that riders are always to blame.
The campaign was also questioned for a host of additional reasons, including the use of out-dated case law, out-dated research and questionable claims of success through the interpretation of rider criticism as approval.
The advertisement shows a driver failing to give way at a t-intersection and killing a rider who was travelling at 68km/h in a 60km/h zone. The reconstruction then focuses on the actions of the rider, but fails to acknowledge the more serious offense committed by the driver of failing to give way.
Spokesperson for the TAC, John Thompson, Senior manager of Road Safety & Marketing Community Relations, claimed that there had been approval for the creative concept of the ad from a range of riders who had attended focus groups.
And TAC Road Safety manager Sam Cockfield asserted that riders are unaware of the safety issues associated with motorcycling and that the TAC as a professional road safety organisation is in a better position to educate riders on these issues.
“To date, the TAC hasn't given much credence to the issues that matter to riders, which to me, is a genuine stumbling block for rider and TAC cooperation,” said Rob Salvatore from the VMC.
“Despite their efforts, they do not consult as broadly as they need to and outwardly seem unable to accept constructive criticism.”
The report from the parliamentary inquiry is due to be released in December and riders are expecting it to address many of the concerns that have been raised, both at the most recent hearing as well those originally held in 2011.
Among them is what is seen as a one-dimensional approach to motorcycle safety that centres around speed over shared responsibility.
“The issue of rider safety is a complex one and simply lowering speed by using a big stick solution is an intellectual dead end,” said Rob Smith from MA.
“It’s time for the TAC to stop treating Victorian riders and road users as children by using horror, fear and retribution as the only tools in the toolbox of road safety and listen to what riders have to offer.”
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Written byBikesales Staff
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