KEY POINTS:
The Government is gearing up to reduce the high rate of motorcycle accidents by proposing tougher rules plus measures to improve training.
Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven announced the motorcycle safety proposals targeting novice motorcyclists as part of the Road Safety to 2010 strategy.
The measures including restricting the use of powerful motorcycles by novice riders and setting a three-year maximum validity period for all learner motorcycle licences.
Mr Duynhoven said since 2001 there had been a 28 per cent increase in the number of motorcycles and over the same period a "staggering" 80 per cent increase in people injured in motorcycle accidents.
"These proposals clearly target novice motorcyclists because these riders face the greatest crash risk. They are paying far too high a price - in 2007 motorcyclists and pillions accounted for 10 per cent of all road fatalities."
He said more people were expected to use motorcycles as the cost of fuel increased. People aged over 30 were over-represented in novice accidents.
Key proposals were:
* restricting the use of powerful motorcycles by novice riders. Learner and restricted motorcycle licence holders would only be able to ride motorcycles which did not exceed a power-to-weight ratio of 150 kilowatts per tonne and were not too physically large for rider;
* changing the Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDLS) to reduce the restricted motorcycle licence period by six months for riders who completed approved motorcycle-specific training courses;
* introducing a motorcycle-specific competency assessment option as an alternative to the restricted and full licence tests for riders that did an approved motorcycle-specific training course in the learner licence phase;
* setting a maximum three-year validity period for all learner motorcycle licences;
* removing the 70km/h speed limit restriction - which applies to learner motorcycle licence holders;
* introducing 25 demerit points for not wearing helmets but reducing the level of fine from $150 to $50;
* requiring daytime running on headlights at all times; and
* increasing the minimum time period motorcyclists over 25 spend on a restricted licence from six to 12 months.
ACC Minister Maryan Street said since 2001 claims for motorcycle accidents had nearly doubled and the annual ACC claim costs now exceeded $52 million.
"Riding a motorcycle is risky. Motorcyclists make up only 2 per cent of vehicles on the road but account for 18 per cent of road claims received by ACC."
She said increasing visibility would make motorcyclists safer. They were not to blame for three-quarters of the accidents they were involved in.
The public will get a chance to comment on the proposals later in the year. The Land Transport Driver Licensing and Road User rules and Land Transport Offences and Penalties Regulations would need to be changed.
In a speech to the Automobile Association conference announcing the changes, Mr Duynhoven also repeated his view that compulsory third party insurance was needed.
He said the cost of uninsured motorists was between $53m and $85m a year. Most developed countries had compulsory third party insurance and young, novice and accident prone drivers paid higher premiums. Steeper premiums on higher performance vehicles could encourage drivers to opt for less powerful vehicles.
A discussion paper on the issue would be released "shortly".
- NZPA
