April Fools: RTA Bike Crushing Plan gaining momentum
Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 1:54 pm
Check this out from the Sydney Morning Herald today. 
A plan to crush boy racers' motorbikes is gathering momentum quickly.
The Government has been planning tough new laws for motorcycle hoons. And the most controversial idea, a plan to crush bikes belonging to the worst and repeating offenders, could be implemented in as soon as six months.
"People support us being seen to be taking measures when people won't learn from the laws we have now," says the police Minister.
"Motorcycle rider deaths make up a considerable percentage of the road toll for their representation in society and this requires a drastic rethink of ways to fight hoon riding" He Said.
But legal experts say it is a potential minefield and could leave vehicle finance companies vulnerable.
"If there's money owing on a bike, then the finance company's interests should be taken into a account, because that is their security for a loan" says Professor Noel Cox, from Sydney Universities law department. "If the bike's destroyed, they could be in a difficult position."
The new legislation isn't popular with boy racers either.
"It's a bit extreme," says local Kawasaki rider Jim Pentherton at a favourite biker hangout on the nsw northern suburbs. "Maybe a big penalty fine would be better, but not crushing bikes."
Stiff opposition has been expressed by motorcycling groups, but none the less, The draft legislation will be presented to Parliament within weeks.
The Government still has to win support for the new laws, but they say they are confident of making changes to the law within months.
A plan to crush boy racers' motorbikes is gathering momentum quickly.
The Government has been planning tough new laws for motorcycle hoons. And the most controversial idea, a plan to crush bikes belonging to the worst and repeating offenders, could be implemented in as soon as six months.
"People support us being seen to be taking measures when people won't learn from the laws we have now," says the police Minister.
"Motorcycle rider deaths make up a considerable percentage of the road toll for their representation in society and this requires a drastic rethink of ways to fight hoon riding" He Said.
But legal experts say it is a potential minefield and could leave vehicle finance companies vulnerable.
"If there's money owing on a bike, then the finance company's interests should be taken into a account, because that is their security for a loan" says Professor Noel Cox, from Sydney Universities law department. "If the bike's destroyed, they could be in a difficult position."
The new legislation isn't popular with boy racers either.
"It's a bit extreme," says local Kawasaki rider Jim Pentherton at a favourite biker hangout on the nsw northern suburbs. "Maybe a big penalty fine would be better, but not crushing bikes."
Stiff opposition has been expressed by motorcycling groups, but none the less, The draft legislation will be presented to Parliament within weeks.
The Government still has to win support for the new laws, but they say they are confident of making changes to the law within months.
Farking knobjockies
