Transport

Clarification on driver training

In a recent press release, we correctly pointed out that advanced driver and rider training (such as teaching drivers skid-control) has a very poor track record when it comes to reducing accidents (drivers tend become overconfident and take more risks).

Unfortunately, our press release led some people to assume we oppose all driver and rider training. This is nonsense. We strongly support professional instruction for beginners.

Campaigner blames government after 8 die on road without median barrier

The New Zealand government has blood on its hands over the latest multiple fatality, says the car review website dogandlemon.com.

Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson, who is an outspoken road safety campaigner, says:

“Eight people are dead because a median barrier was missing off that road. That’s the simple fact. If the government is serious about lowering the road toll, the highest priority must be given to improving the safety of our Third World roads.”

Time to recall defective Lime scooters

Lime e-scooters have serious safety defects and should be recalled immediately, says the car review website dogandlemon.com.

Editor Clive Matthew Wilson, who is an outspoken road safety campaigner, says:

Exhausted truck drivers major threat to road safety

Truck drivers regularly take terrible risks due to a cutthroat contract system, says the car review website dogandlemon.com.

Editor Clive Matthew Wilson, who is an outspoken road safety campaigner, says the recent expose on contract truck drivers in New Zealand ”goes a long way to explaining the rising road toll.”

Are e-scooters operating illegally?

Dunedin Pedestrian Action Network

Press release

Are e-scooters operating illegally? 

The New Zealand Transport Agency appears to have blundered in allowing e-scooters to operate, says pedestrian advocate Dr Lynley Hood.

“The New Zealand Transport Agency allowed e-scooters onto New Zealand roads and footpaths by defining them as non-motor vehicles. However, the NZTA did not follow the procedure defined by law. Therefore, e-scooters appear to be operating illegally.”[1]

Government wasting millions on failed motorbike training

The New Zealand government must bring in tough motorbike awareness tests immediately, says car review website dogandlemon.com

Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson says successive governments have been ‘conned’ into believing that advanced rider training would reduce the number of motorbike crashes.

E-scooter safety campaign “a waste of time”

A safety publicity campaign by e-scooter promoter Lime is a meaningless stunt, says the car review website dogandlemon.com.

 

Editor Clive Matthew Wilson, who is an outspoken road safety campaigner, says Lime’s problems can’t be solved by asking scooter users to behave.

Petrol taxes are subsidising the trucking industry

Light petrol and diesel vehicles are paying far more than their share of transport taxes, says the car review website dogandlemon.com.

Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson says:

“Taxes on small vehicles pay nearly three quarters of the cost of building our highways. Yet these small vehicles get the least benefit from these highways. Effectively, the owners of petrol cars and light commercial vehicles are subsidising large trucks and buses.”

Lower speed limits linked to increase in road deaths

Speed limits that are impractically low tend to be ignored, leading to an increase in road deaths, according to studies quoted in the Times newspaper in the UK.

Increasing fines won’t stop cellphone use by drivers

Increasing fines and demerit points won’t stop cellphone use by high-risk drivers, says the car review website dogandlemon.com

Dogandlemon.com editor Clive Matthew-Wilson – who is an active road safety campaigner, says:

"Multiple studies have shown that fines and disqualification don't generally work as a deterrent for high risk offenders.”

Pages