Victorian government to retain safety levy
The official response to the 2012 Parliamentary Inquiry into Motorcycle Safety has been tabled, with a mixed response from the Victorian governmentThe motorcycle safety levy will be retained in Victoria, with the ruling Coalition government not adopting the recommendation from last year’s Parliamentary Inquiry into Motorcycle Safety (PIMS) to abolish it.
However, the government has flagged its intention to allow motorcycles to "filter" through traffic gaps.
The PIMS report made 64 recommendations, with16 supported by the government, 26 receiving ‘in principle’ backing, six ‘in part’ backing, and 15 rejected.
Among the recommendations to receive support included:
- The development of a common motorcycle training curriculum;
- The introduction of on-road training component for learner riders, and an on-road testing component for probationary riders;
- That VicRoads and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) undertake research projects focussing on the interaction and behaviours as a way of informing road safety strategies and training and licensing materials;
- That reporting and evaluation of projects funded by the Motorcycle Safety Levy shall not be subject to confidentiality or release restrictions
- That all motorcycle safety levy funded projects have clear performance indicators; and
- That VicRoads improves... the operation of wire rope safety barriers and other side barriers by utilising existing technology such as retrofitting barrier posts with cushion products;
Among the recommendations rejected include:
- Removing the aforementioned motorcycle safety levy; and
- That a star rating system for motorcycle clothing be established;
"The PIMS inquiry was a no-nonsense watershed analysis of Victorian motorcycling. It saw through the negative media stereotyping aided by the TAC's abysmal motorcycle safety campaigns and represents the state of the art thinking on motorcycle safety,” said a spokesman for the Victorian Motorcycle Council.
“Disappointingly, the government does not see as clearly as the PIMS committee. There has never been a safer time to ride a motorcycle in Victoria, but we'll have to endure continued negativity from the agencies."
The Victorian Motorcycle Council strongly believes that the parliamentary inquiry provided the government and the agencies with a blueprint for safe motorcycling in Victoria.
“The Government response has failed to fully capitalize on this outstanding opportunity. The VMC is committed to pursuing the very best outcomes for all Victorian motorcyclists.”
Meanwhile, the government has given its in principle support for filtering. While it has eschewed legislative change, the government has said it will support a filtering awareness campaign being developed out of VicRoads that looks specifically at the safe sharing of roads, particularly in congested environments.
Road safety lawyer with Maurice Blackburn, John Voyage, welcomes the move.
"Road safety advocates for riders have worked tirelessly to present evidence that the government couldn't ignore, and we're now at the point of looking at new and different ways to make the roads safer for riders and motorists alike, such as filtering," Voyage said.
"In other jurisdictions, filtering has proven to increase motorist awareness of riders on the road, leading to fewer collisions and serious injuries with riders as a result, so this is a step in the right direction.
"Aside from the safety aspects, it should hopefully ease some of the congestion on roads by filling wasted space between vehicles, so there's a general community benefit to this initiative as well."
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