Road Traffic news ..

[Smitty]

Biker clocked at 210km/h
By Julia Medew
July 13, 2005 - 10:41AM

A motorcyclist carrying his girlfriend as a passenger was caught travelling at 210km/h in an 80 zone on the Princes Highway in Corio, near Geelong, last night.

Senior Constable Bob Debona, who spotted the 28-year-old man speeding at 9.10pm, said the incident was part of a worrying trend.

After intercepting a learner driver travelling at 220km/h on the Western Ring Road earlier this year, the traffic policeman said he was disappointed people continued to risk their lives and others'.

"At that time of night, the highway is still very busy and it only takes the slightest error before we have a disaster," he said.

"I have been working this highway for over 15 years and I just wish people would slow down and take more care. It is too late when someone dies".

The motorcyclist had his licence automatically suspended for 12 months and is also expected to be charged with exceeding the speed limit and driving at a dangerous speed.

He will appear at Geelong Magistrates Court in coming months.

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[Smitty]

Phone use 'quadruples crash risk'
By Dan Silkstone
Transport Reporter
July 13, 2005

Talking on a mobile phone while driving quadruples the risk of having a crash, according to an Australian report.

And using a hands-free device does virtually nothing to lessen the risk, says the report, published overnight in the British Medical Journal.

The study is the first to establish the link between mobile phone use and crashes causing serious injury.

Researchers from the George Institute for International Health at the University of Sydney interviewed more than 700 car crash victims in Perth hospitals. Mobile phone records of injured drivers were then used to investigate their phone use in the minutes before the crashes.

The survey found that 456 of the drivers had been on the phone in the minutes leading up to their crash. Researchers concluded there was a four times greater risk of crashing if drivers had used the phone in the previous five minutes.

The study also contained some stark findings about the use of hands-free kits. Using a hand-held phone is illegal while driving in Victoria, but using a hands-free kit is legal.

However, study co-author Mark Stevenson said there was virtually no difference between the risk posed by using hand-held or hands-free phones while behind the wheel.

"It is legal to use a hands-free phone, but we found that it increased your risk of crashing by 3.8 times," Professor Stevenson said. "For a hand-held phone the risk is four times: there is very little difference."

He said governments should step up education campaigns saying that using any kind of phone while driving puts motorists and others at serious risk.

"Companies need to introduce severe penalties for staff that are found driving while on the phone and potentially there might be a way for insurance companies to play a role," he said.

The study also found that the distraction posed by mobile phone use was equal for all drivers, regardless of age, gender or driving experience. "Reaction times are depleted and it's not affected by things like age," Professor Stevenson said.

Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association chief executive Graham Chalker urged motorists to avoid talking on the phone in heavy traffic or bad weather.

"If a call is unnecessary or you consider it unsafe to answer at the time, do not answer the call and let it divert to voicemail," he said. "Drivers should plan ahead and make calls when stationary or during rest breaks on long trips."

A spokeswoman for Transport Minister Peter Batchelor said technology such as hands-free phones was increasingly part of life for drivers. "Previous research into mobile phone use has indicated that hand-held use is significantly more dangerous than hands-free use," she said.

"However, the Government is prepared to look at any new research which may provide insight into how the road toll can be further reduced."

[Glen]

Another one to improve the image. Fuckin' twat. There's a lot to be said for natural selection.

On a lighter note you've gotta love the cops name, Bob Debona. Could he be related to Bob Debilda.

[Smitty]

On a lighter note you've gotta love the cops name, Bob Debona. Could he be related to Bob Debilda.

my grandkids luv Bob debilda on the Teev.....

[zx'er]

Phone use 'quadruples crash risk'
"However, the Government is prepared to look at any new research which may provide insight into how the road toll can be further reduced."

Hmmm is that a fact?? So if it was actually proven that speed is not actually the major cause of traffic accidents, injuries and death, then the government is willing to significantly reduce the amount of man power and money wasted on manning speed cameras and targeting the real problem areas........such as talking on mobile phones?

Yeah right!!!! Can't wait to see that one come about.

[NovaCoder]

At least he was only doing 210 and not going really fast

[Smitty]

At least he was only doing 210 and not going really fast

and it wasn't really that dark and it wasn't really raining
and thats not really a pillion on the back....
but he's still a pharken idjit.....

and Nova
mate, my reply is not a shot at you ..just the idiot rider

[NovaCoder]

and Nova
mate, my reply is not a shot at you ..just the idiot rider

Yeah I agree with ya Smitty, just having a laugh

[photomike666]

Phone use 'quadruples crash risk'
By Dan Silkstone
Transport Reporter
July 13, 2005

...And using a hands-free device does virtually nothing to lessen the risk, says the report, published overnight in the British Medical Journal...

Does this mean talking to a passenger increaces the risk too? Perhaps all cage drivers should be segregated from all sound within the car?

[icebreaker]

I was behind a cop who was on his mobile phone yesterday arvo on my way home.. Had a partner with him but he was on the phone for a few minutes...

I was very tempted to report him.. just wish I had a small phone that took good pics, cause I would have taken a snap shot from the back, the side and then the front.

That sort of stuff shits me no end.. there is no excuse..

they'll fine you for it, but do it themselves.. They have their partner with them, so they should be on the phone if it is work, or they should use hands free at least.

[Felix]

Here in Qld it is OK for Emergency Services and Couriers to use mobile phones while driving...from what I've read somewhere...

[Phil]

Here in Qld it is OK for Emergency Services and Couriers to use mobile phones while driving...from what I've read somewhere...

same here i believe except emergency serv, coppers only.........thats what they call a loop hole

[Yankee]

i saw a dude waiting for me to come thru a round-a-bout in his ford probe (cage) yakking away on his mobile, and i just automatically by instinct or something FLICKED HIM THE BIRD!! didn't even have time to think what i was doing or stop what i was doing before i thought of the consequenses... just saw something that REALLY shits me and I reacted.....
welp....
he got pissed off, followed me, and i was like, well, not gunna have this clown follow me all upset (try to run me off the road or what-have-you) so i pulled over for him to come talk to me (explain what i was trying to communicate to him!)..... but he didn't. he continued on just staring me down (ooooooo, i'm scared!)
anyway, yeah, mobile phones shit me btw....!!!!

[photomike666]

Just a shame you can't keep a bat down the side of the bike seat eh?

[Neka79]

Just a shame you can't keep a bat down the side of the bike seat eh?

lump of iron in ya boot..thats wot my dad use to do...lol....worked good for hitting dogs who chased..

and cops can talk on the moby when driving cos they r "special" apparently...but its legal for em..it sux, but its true...