Transport

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.”

Government response to wheel-clamping "pathetic"

The government needs to take a far tougher line on parking enforcement, says the car review website dogandlemon.com.

Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson describes the government's response to wheel-clamping as "pathetic" .

“Most wheel-clampers are parasites. While it’s great that the government has limited the amount they can charge, there’s still nothing to stop these crooks blackmailing ordinary motorists.”

The government must act on bus safety

The government must act promptly to improve bus safety, says the car review website dogandlemon.com.

Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson, who is an outspoken road safety campaigner, says three serious bus crashes in three weeks is unacceptable.

All highway buses need seatbelts

All passenger buses that drive at more than 50km/h should be required to have seatbelts, says the car review website dogandlemon.com.

Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson, who is an outspoken road safety campaigner, describes much of the New Zealand bus fleet as “a disgrace”.

Thumbs up for government road safety announcement

The government’s increase in road safety spending is a “big step in the right direction” says the car review website dogandlemon.com.

Among other projects, the Government Policy Statement (GPS) includes a “96% increase in regional transport projects that improve safety, resilience and access.” 

Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson, who is an outspoken road safety campaigner, says the increase in funding is “critical” to lowering the road toll.

Pages