Zero rider limit in QLD
Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:30 am
By Robyn Ironside
September 16, 2009 12:00am
QUEENSLAND motorcyclists could become the first in the country to face a zero alcohol limit as desperate authorities look to cut the road toll.
Minimum clothing standards and electronic identification devices are also being considered by transport officials to increase rider safety as motorcycle deaths continue to rocket.
Since 2004, motorcycle fatalities have almost doubled in Queensland, with 54 riders and pillion passengers killed so far this year, compared with 28 the same time five years ago.
The figure represents 22 per cent of the road toll – even though motorcyclists make up just 4.5 per cent of road users.
Queensland Transport is investigating the benefits of a zero alcohol limit as part of its four-year motorcycle safety strategy, along with new technology to prevent bikes escaping speed camera detection.
Radio Frequency Identification Devices are being developed to help overcome the problem of motorbikes not having a front registration plate by allowing bikes to be identified through other means.
Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said identification was an issue for police trying to enforce the road rules.
"Some really irresponsible motorcyclists as they go through a speed camera will even reach back and put their hand over the number plate so the motorcycle can't be photographed," Mr Atkinson said.
"So they're the ones in my view who are at a higher risk of death and injury and they're the ones we really need to stop."
He said he was confident technology would solve the problem.
"There will be something that can be put safely on the front of a motorcycle that would be an identifier for the motorcycle, and would link the motorcycle to a registered number or a number plate."
Mr Atkinson was unaware of Queensland Transport's plan to introduce zero alcohol limits for motorcyclists but said such laws already existed for a wide range of road users, including truck, bus and taxi drivers, learner and provisional licence holders aged under 25, driver trainers and train and ferry drivers.
Nationally, the Australian Transport Council has recommended minimum standards for motorcyclists' clothing be examined. In Queensland, motorcyclists are only required to wear a helmet when riding and Mr Atkinson said imposing minimum standards of dress could be impractical.
"We could enforce it and we would enforce it (if minimum standards were introduced) but heat is an issue in Queensland, particularly in the state's far north," Mr Atkinson said.
Motorcycle groups yesterday supported the zero alcohol limit for riders and said a similar requirement should be considered for all road users.
"Make it zero tolerance on the road everywhere," Terry Walker of the United Motorcycle Council of Queensland said.
"But certainly we'd support a zero limit for bikers because you need to be as alert as possible when riding."
September 16, 2009 12:00am
QUEENSLAND motorcyclists could become the first in the country to face a zero alcohol limit as desperate authorities look to cut the road toll.
Minimum clothing standards and electronic identification devices are also being considered by transport officials to increase rider safety as motorcycle deaths continue to rocket.
Since 2004, motorcycle fatalities have almost doubled in Queensland, with 54 riders and pillion passengers killed so far this year, compared with 28 the same time five years ago.
The figure represents 22 per cent of the road toll – even though motorcyclists make up just 4.5 per cent of road users.
Queensland Transport is investigating the benefits of a zero alcohol limit as part of its four-year motorcycle safety strategy, along with new technology to prevent bikes escaping speed camera detection.
Radio Frequency Identification Devices are being developed to help overcome the problem of motorbikes not having a front registration plate by allowing bikes to be identified through other means.
Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said identification was an issue for police trying to enforce the road rules.
"Some really irresponsible motorcyclists as they go through a speed camera will even reach back and put their hand over the number plate so the motorcycle can't be photographed," Mr Atkinson said.
"So they're the ones in my view who are at a higher risk of death and injury and they're the ones we really need to stop."
He said he was confident technology would solve the problem.
"There will be something that can be put safely on the front of a motorcycle that would be an identifier for the motorcycle, and would link the motorcycle to a registered number or a number plate."
Mr Atkinson was unaware of Queensland Transport's plan to introduce zero alcohol limits for motorcyclists but said such laws already existed for a wide range of road users, including truck, bus and taxi drivers, learner and provisional licence holders aged under 25, driver trainers and train and ferry drivers.
Nationally, the Australian Transport Council has recommended minimum standards for motorcyclists' clothing be examined. In Queensland, motorcyclists are only required to wear a helmet when riding and Mr Atkinson said imposing minimum standards of dress could be impractical.
"We could enforce it and we would enforce it (if minimum standards were introduced) but heat is an issue in Queensland, particularly in the state's far north," Mr Atkinson said.
Motorcycle groups yesterday supported the zero alcohol limit for riders and said a similar requirement should be considered for all road users.
"Make it zero tolerance on the road everywhere," Terry Walker of the United Motorcycle Council of Queensland said.
"But certainly we'd support a zero limit for bikers because you need to be as alert as possible when riding."
, will inevitably impact all other riders around the country - riders who *can* handle a couple of beers on a ride, riders who don't ride beyond their limits, and riders who have had nothing to do with all the bullshit up there - but will lose freedoms as a result.