VIC TAC Speeding ad should be withdrawn -NMAA - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

9krpm · 07-19-2003, 18:26

Good to see somebody is having a go at these lying, theiving bstards!

http://www.aussiemotorists.com/pr/pr030719.html

TAC advert a tragic lie

(Brisbane) The National Motorists Association Australia, (NMAA) has called for an immediate withdrawal of the latest TAC road safety commercial featuring Rachel Roberts after revelations that the real cause of the tragic accident has been glossed over in favour of its preferred cause - speed.

In condemning the ad, association secretary, Mr Jim Wright, expressed his sympathy for Ms Roberts saying "this poor lady should not be exploited by the Victorian government in a dishonest attempt to legitimise their speeding ticket revenue raising."

The TAC advertisement claims that the crash was caused because the driver was going 5 km/hr over the speed limit, when in fact the real causes were driver inexperience and bald tyres in wet weather conditions. The scenario depicted in the ad is not even remotely similar to the circumstances surrounding Ms Roberts crash. It depicts an apparently roadworthy vehicle travelling along a suburban road in dry conditions. "The two situations are chalk and cheese" said Mr Wright.

Rachel's own words are reported on the TRAG website which is sponsored by a Victorian government department: http://www.trag-vic.org/rroberts.html

"It was around 1 p.m. and a very hot day and then it started to pour with rain. My boyfriend was still on his P Plates, so he was inexperienced, and he had bald tyres on the car. My Dad and my future brother in law had been telling him to get new tyres on his car."

Mr Wright labelled the ads a disgrace and said "The Victorian government is exploiting a tragedy and has stooped to new lows in its desperation to justify its over-zealous speed enforcement policies that net over $400M per year".

"The advert should be withdrawn with an apology immediately", he said.

The NMAA has been arguing that excessive focus on speed (which is not the leading cause of accidents) obscures the need for attention to many other more important factors such as driver education, and roadworthiness as this case clearly demonstrates.

"Because of their policies, Victorian drivers are spending too much time gazing at their speedometers in fear, instead of concentrating on the road and looking out for danger." said a concerned Mr Wright.

AUForte · 07-19-2003, 19:16

Hear hear!!

russellw · 07-19-2003, 19:31

About time somebody had a shot at the thieving mongrels.
The real trouble with these campaigns is that no one actually believes them anyway and thus they have little effect on the road toll.
Even the Vic Police, in their first 4 month report on Vic road deaths, didn't attribute very many fatalities to excessive speed. Indeed a surprising number of morons still fail to wear seatbelts (12.9% of drivers and 24.3% of passenger fatalities Jan-Apr 2003) which is triple the number attributed to speed. In hard numbers that's 22 people who probably shouldn't be dead.

When was the last time we saw a seatbelt campaign?

Why not use the camera technology to target seat belt wearers? I'd be sure it's feasible.

Cheers
Russ

mongrelEB · 07-19-2003, 23:43

There was a show on telly last night where they investigated a crash scene - I think they're going to make a series out of it.
The guy was a bit pissed and dead tired, driving home at dawn - sun in the eyes, left the road and rolled his 4WD on the bank. Here's the killer - if he'd been wearing his seatbelt he wouldn't have been thrown out of the car and probably would have survived.

NO MENTION OF SPEED!!!

JC-XR8 · 07-20-2003, 04:05

fte22 - hope you have read this.

AUForte · 07-20-2003, 05:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by russellw

Why not use the camera technology to target seat belt wearers? I'd be sure it's feasible.

Cheers
Russ

Definately possible. They can do it with the Safe-T-Cam system in trucks.

cs123 · 07-20-2003, 05:14

An interesting about face from England.
http://www.thesundaymail.news.com.au...5E2765,00.html

Aussie Pete · 07-20-2003, 17:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUForte

Definately possible. They can do it with the Safe-T-Cam system in trucks.

Actually, Safe-T-Cam only logs number plates of heavy vehicles. It relies on timing and distances between sites to measure average speeds. It does not know who is driving, or any other information at all. It cannot determine whether drivers are licenced, wearing belts or whatever.

SVO Pete · 07-20-2003, 17:49

They constantly push the seat belt thing up here in QLD

SVO Pete · 07-20-2003, 17:56

Quote:

"Because of their policies, Victorian drivers are spending too much time gazing at their speedometers in fear, instead of concentrating on the road and looking out for danger." said a concerned Mr Wright.

This is what sums up the problems I have with the policies in Victoria. I have always believed that if you speed and get caught, pay the fine and get over it, it is your own stupid fault.

This is not the case in Victoria. The government is implementing a blatantly revenue gathering exercise in order to prop up their poor fiscal management. People in victoria should not pay the fines en masse. See what the government does with that.

Also note that in London and Manchester, police have been moved OFF traffic duty and into catching muggers and bastards, like car thieves, a much better use of resources.

Finally, go the guy in WA!! hahaha