Zero Alcohol for Motorcyclists?
Sep 21st, 2009 by admin
Queensland is projected to become the first city in the country where motorcyclists are 100% alcohol free. This is brought about by the desperate move of authorities to lessening the road toll in the area. Among the other measures being looked into by the department are clothing standards and EID (electronic identification devices) which would provide a huge increase on rider safety and strike a huge decrease on motorcycle accidents often causing death.
Over the last 5 years, there has been significant increase on the fatalities brought about by motorcycle accidents in Queensland – 54 riders and countless passengers have lost their lives this year so far. That’s double the number five years ago which was 28.
The four-year motorcycle safety strategy being implemented by Queensland Transport is sought to be the answer that would eventually make the roads much safer for these riders. As such, QT is closely considering the benefits of having a zero alcohol limit for riders as part of this strategy. Other measures being closely considered is a new means of preventing bikes from evading speed camera detection.
In order to address the problem being experienced on motorbikes having no provision for front registration plates, RFI (Radio Frequency Identification) Devices are being developed. This is seen to allow bikes to become identified through other means.
Bob Atkinson, Police Commissioner, has already commented on their department’s issue with bike identification which he sees as a major set back for the force in terms of implementing road rules. According to him, some bikers who are speeding often reach back their arms just to cover their plates as they pass along speed cameras. Not only are these people able to outrun the law. They are also, more often than not, the ones with greater risk of accidents. He further commended the move for newer technology as he firmly believes that it would help solve the problem.
In essence, this new technology would allow a device be placed in front of a motorcycle that would serve as a means of identifying the motorcycle. This device would then link the motorcycle to it’s registered number or number plate.
Unaware of Queensland Transport’s plan to implement zero alcohol limits for motorcycles, Atkinson further explained that such laws have always been existent covering a wide array of road users.
On a national level, the Australian Transport Council is moving to have the minimum standards on clothing for riders be scrutinized. Under Queensland law, for as long as riders are wearing helmets, they’ve met the standards of clothing when riding. For Mr. Atkinson, to impose a minimum standard of dress won’t be practical. They can and would implement it should it be introduced but he stressed that the heat in Queensland should also be put into consideration as the council continues to explore this possibility.
This move for a zero alcohol limit on bikers is being widely supported by motorcycle groups. They also stressed that similar rules should also be enforced on other road users as well.
While I understand that motorcyclists are deemed to be irresponsible in the eyes of the majority or car drivers, I still feel that the car drivers, who give no forethought to safe braking distances, or indicating before changing lanes etc are the majority that are responsible for a large percentage of these motorcycle accidents.
Bob Atkinson is clearly a tool, “…According to him, some bikers who are speeding often reach back their arms just to cover their plates as they pass along speed cameras….”
Unless a rider is part Orangutan, seriously, who could do this? This just shows the compleate faith in the general public not bring him to task for a stupid statement.
As for the Zero alcohol aim the governments own figures show that motorcyclists are 5% less likely (19% Motorcyclists 24% all motorists) to drink ride and be involved in serious accidents. When you also take into concideration that at 3% of the registations being MC’s yet 16% of serious deaths the actual percentage of drink riders is probably conciderably less than the stated 19% involved in serious accidents.