VICTORIA:- Improving vehicle specification requirement!

[keepleft]

I am posting this for discussion at a few key sites;-

CREDIT WHERE IT IS DUE

VIC Premier, Hon Mr Brumby was on that odd media 'television' today, announcing a range of new initiatives that will please many here. Take the link to read the full media release. This concerns VIC P platers too.

I remind folk here that WA 'went it alone' a few years ago, and created a unique state-based regulation that mandated 'Engine Immobilisers' on new market vehicles - that were to be registered in that jurisdiction. That action caught the FEDS off guard you might recall, forcing them to play catch-up which resulted in our delightful ADR82!

I 'know' NSW studies this VIC notification carefully, and *will* action a few 'extras' of its own. Note the BOLD.


Mandating the instalment of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) in all new cars built after 31 December 2010 (in the absence of an equivalent national requirement);

Mandating the instalment of head protection technology, such as side-curtain airbags in all new cars built after 31 December by 2011 (in the absence of an equivalent national requirement);

Showing leadership by introducing ESC and head protection technology to the Government fleet over the next three years, thereby giving manufacturers an incentive to deploy ESC to all cars;

“Victoria has a proud track record of leading the nation in road safety, with the introduction of seatbelts, the roll out of drink driving technology and random drug testing,” he said.

“And we’re doing the same with this new life saving technology. From 2011 all new cars will have electronic stability control. From 2012 all new cars will have head technology.

“And I will write to all State and Territory Premiers and the Prime Minister, calling for a national mandate of this technology in the interest of saving lives.”

Minister for Roads and Ports, Tim Pallas said that the Government had undertaken extensive research and planning to develop its road safety strategy, consulting road safety experts and monitoring the success of strategies in other states.

LINK:-
http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/News/MediaReleaseRoadSafetyStrategy/


Purchase a hazard-warning triangle for your car to improve the ‘warning-time’ given to approaching traffic, at both crash scenes and vehicle breakdowns. Store it in the boot. I suggest Hella Part Number 2901 - $70, or from Auto Accessory Shops, - supplier "Prokit" - Item Number RG9212 - $20. A World/Euro standard triangle device exceeding AS3790 triangle performance requirements. http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/lic_drivesafebook_part4.pdf

[mac06]

Well lets hope the federal government picks up on this Victorian legislation and runs with it. If safety is a concern then these are areas that will help immensely. It's only a matter of time until these features are standard anyway, but any push to help them come sooner would be a bonus.

Then all that's needed is phasing out the older cars without the safety features. That could cause the greatest problem if people simply can't afford to upgrade.

[keepleft]

THIS is an interesting item, I must say unique to Victoria. I'll seek 'detail' on this, I suspect it will fall under the current trial (program) of the 'National Driver Training Scheme' (which we see as the harmonising graduated licensing system, with its emphasis on the defensive driver component.

At the end of the day VIC has signalled loud and clear its intention to MANDATE the two quoted key items ESP/Side Airbags, even if the Feds don't. AND, they do have that parliamentary right, and enforceable power to do so.

THIS is interesting;-
* A new program to give drivers the chance to redeem demerit points by undertaking a comprehensive road safety program;


Purchase a hazard-warning triangle for your car to improve the ‘warning-time’ given to approaching traffic, at both crash scenes and vehicle breakdowns. Store it in the boot. I suggest Hella Part Number 2901 - $70, or from Auto Accessory Shops, - supplier "Prokit" - Item Number RG9212 - $20. A World/Euro standard triangle device exceeding AS3790 triangle performance requirements. http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/lic_drivesafebook_part4.pdf

[Jac001]

The devil is in the detail. :)

Personally i hope the mandatory safety equipment becomes a national standard (much easier to control/ regulate).

Will be interesting how it will effect the bottom end of the market where those kinds of safety equipment may be considered to expensive....

Depending on how the "redeeming demerit points" program works it could be interesting.. (thought i suspect it may discourage people taking from taking part in comprehensive driving courses until they lose demerit points...)