W.A. - ID devices on bike.!

[MadKaw]

ID devices could help police nab biker hoons

30th July 2008, 7:30 WST
WA Police believe embedding electronic identification tags on motorcycles will stop riders escaping speed camera fines and reduce the State’s high rate of motorcycle deaths.

Insp. Neil Royle, from the traffic enforcement group, said the devices would enable speed cameras to instantly identify a passing bike’s licensing details.

He said the lack of identifying details on the front of motorcycles meant riders were escaping thousands of Multanova fines a year and, as a result, many were risking their lives through routine speeding and reckless driving because they felt “above the law”. Already this year, 17 motorcycle riders had died on WA roads and police believed speed had been a factor in nine of those fatal crashes.

Front numberplates have not been required on motorcycles for more than 20 years after a coronial finding that a metal motorcycle plate decapitated a pedestrian.

In July 2002, then police minister Michelle Roberts said the Labor Government was committed to solving the issue of motorcycle identification. But six years on, after trials of stick-on and plastic numberplates and $75,000 dual-lens cameras which shoot from the front and back, nothing has changed.

Insp. Royle said the tags, which cost just $55 and are used in Victoria to identify vehicles as they pass through tollways, could drastically reduce motorcycle deaths. Motorcyclists represented about 3 per cent of all licensed vehicles in WA but accounted for 16 per cent of fatalities.

“This technology, if adapted for speed cameras, could make huge inroads into our road toll and would result in a positive change of attitude and behaviour among motorcyclists,” he said. “There are riders who clearly do as they please on our roads because they feel they can’t be caught because of the lack of a front identifier. It is one of the major issues we face in regards to road safety and something that needs to be tackled quickly.”

Motorcycle Riders Association WA branch president David Wright said he knew nothing about electronic tags but thought they were a good idea. They did not pose the same problems as front numberplates, which affected aerodynamics, could be deliberately covered by a rider using his hands or feet and were a safety hazard.

Shadow police minister Murray Cowper said it was a “disgrace” that the Government had not implemented a motorcycle identification system six years after it promised to.

Police Minister John Kobelke said yesterday the Government would consider the use of identification tags.

It is understood the Government intends to provide police with duallens cameras but the number is still being considered. They are unlikely to be used before the end of the year.

RONAN O’CONNELL

[Glen]

How many people riding bikes feel "above the law"? We would have to be the most persecuted group of road users that exist.

[robracer]

How many people riding bikes feel "above the law"? We would have to be the most persecuted group of road users that exist.

Thats because we are a minority we are lucky to even exist & if the Govt had its way we would not be riding at all.

[Russell]

I've got no problem with them bringing in tags for bikes - as long as they have to be in cars and trucks as well.
If its good for one group of road users its good for all. I'd like to see how well that goes down in the community!

[dutchy]

I've got no problem with them bringing in tags for bikes - as long as they have to be in cars and trucks as well.
If its good for one group of road users its good for all. I'd like to see how well that goes down in the community!

if we gotta put up with it, everyone should put up with it!! i think i'd rather have an id tag tucked away in my bike somewhere than a front number plate.

[photomike666]

Every vehicle or none - preferably none.

Fuggin money grabbing bastages. 16 deaths is 16 too many, but interested to see how many work place deaths, murders and suicides count for in the state - don't see them chasing after those ones with the same level of tenacity. The way we're singles out is simple discrimination. Put a tag on every vehicle owned by a catholic, or a jew or French man and see how the racism card is thrown, but do it to a group who chose an alternative form of transport and its OK

We're not above the law, were Outlaws.

[fireyrob]

I like the idea of all road registered vehicles having them! Id also insist that it had a function that when you reported or the vehicle detects it been stolen that it automatically sends an electronic signal just like current advanced car alarms have! Even a local electronic signal that is detected by cops as they drive/ride past showing its a recent stolen car etc... Would see our premiums down and would be's who joy ride out of the equation! Not saying it would stop theft all together but anything to make it harder! Harder to rebirth too...

[red_dave]

They can't even make an E-Tag for bikes...

I'm not holding my breath

[TopCat]

I can't believe the above posts. Why the fXXX would anyone want to put id tags on their bike.
Do you put such a low value on your freedom that you're willing to give it away.
Improve training for bike and car drivers, fix the roads.
Give away your freedom and you'll never get it back!!!
Think about it!
TC

[Jonno]

Give away your freedom and you'll never get it back!!!
Think about it!
TC

Yup, then we will have gps and activity chips implanted behind our necks like dogs and cats, big brother is winning.

[IsleofNinja]

I like the idea of all road registered vehicles having them! Id also insist that it had a function that when you reported or the vehicle detects it been stolen that it automatically sends an electronic signal just like current advanced car alarms have! Even a local electronic signal that is detected by cops as they drive/ride past showing its a recent stolen car etc... Would see our premiums down and would be's who joy ride out of the equation! Not saying it would stop theft all together but anything to make it harder! Harder to rebirth too...

Great idea but if it don't bring in da money I doubt it'll be factored in...

Unfortunately it's the dickheads that have prompted this..

I've personally seen clowns pulling wheelies past multinova's at 140 plus in 50km zones , going round the block and doing the same again or fly bys with the bird!!

Might seem pretty cool to them and their mates at the pub but once again it's the few that fark it up for the rest of us!!!

Doing this sorta shit is just begging authourities to take their asshole pills!!

[DaveGPz]

I've never been a huge civil libertarian, but I'm starting to regret that now. ID chips... God help us. So much for 'let us rejoice, for we are young and free'. Australia is becoming one of the most over-controlled, over-regulated and over-governed countries in what used to be called the 'free world'. Ha! When did we decide totalitarianism was the ideal form of government?

[dave#3]

I've never been a huge civil libertarian, but I'm starting to regret that now. ID chips... God help us. So much for 'let us rejoice, for we are young and free'. Australia is becoming one of the most over-controlled, over-regulated and over-governed countries in what used to be called the 'free world'. Ha! When did we decide totalitarianism was the ideal form of government?

Becoming? We're already amongst the most regulated nations on earth . I personally think it's a bollocks idea, but it's probably the way of the future for all vehicles. Hell, in NSW we're trialling GPS speed limiting on cars .... ID tags seem pretty tame by comparison.

Trackdays are looking better and better, and I can probably do about 1 a month for the cost of registering and insuring my road bike.

[robracer]

Trackdays are looking better and better, and I can probably do about 1 a month for the cost of registering and insuring my road bike.

for now Dave but once Oran Park goes & now the mid coast track plan has been shot down, it would not supprise me that in 2-3 years you will be paying 3-400 on a weekend day ride

[dilligaf]

and the id chip can talk to the gps and automatically deduct the fine from my credit card
whenever I go over the limit.
Hmmm