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24-08-2009, 07:17pm
Front Numberplates
Front Numberplates Discussion Paper
It has been proposed that adding front numberplates to motorcycles will reduce motorcyle fatalities. We find a lack of plausibility in this proposition.
We cannot identify specific safety benefits that will accrue from forcing front numberplates onto motorcycles. Neither have any been provided from government.
The impetus for front number plates appears to be driven by authoritarian blame or revenue considerations and hurt feelings resulting from photographs showing disrespect.
As a safety strategy, it appears inappropriate, a waste of resources and will fail to address the real underlying issues of motorcycle safety. MORE
Significant technical difficulties present themselves, as motorcycles have not been required to carry front number plates for over 25 years, since they were removed worldwide for tangible safety reasons. Motorcycle frontal design has evolved since that time.
Fitment of a front number plate needs to consider suspension and steering movements, engine cooling airflow, obstruction of headlight and vision as well as not re-creating safety problems for riders or pedestrians. No single solution is available for all motorcycles and there will be considerable inconvenience and confusion to riders and authorities alike.
In the administrative decision by road authorities to purchase and operate front facing cameras they have either:
Chosen to ignore motorcycles because of ill defined safety benefits, or
Failed to consider motorcycles at all.
So the proposal for front number plates is either
Based on revenue or offended feelings, or
That motorcycles are invisible to public policy
In either case, it appears that motorcyclists are being made scapegoats for a faulty administrative decision and as a result will have onerous conditions placed upon them.
MORE
Front Numberplates Discussion Paper
It has been proposed that adding front numberplates to motorcycles will reduce motorcyle fatalities. We find a lack of plausibility in this proposition.
We cannot identify specific safety benefits that will accrue from forcing front numberplates onto motorcycles. Neither have any been provided from government.
The impetus for front number plates appears to be driven by authoritarian blame or revenue considerations and hurt feelings resulting from photographs showing disrespect.
As a safety strategy, it appears inappropriate, a waste of resources and will fail to address the real underlying issues of motorcycle safety. MORE
Significant technical difficulties present themselves, as motorcycles have not been required to carry front number plates for over 25 years, since they were removed worldwide for tangible safety reasons. Motorcycle frontal design has evolved since that time.
Fitment of a front number plate needs to consider suspension and steering movements, engine cooling airflow, obstruction of headlight and vision as well as not re-creating safety problems for riders or pedestrians. No single solution is available for all motorcycles and there will be considerable inconvenience and confusion to riders and authorities alike.
In the administrative decision by road authorities to purchase and operate front facing cameras they have either:
Chosen to ignore motorcycles because of ill defined safety benefits, or
Failed to consider motorcycles at all.
So the proposal for front number plates is either
Based on revenue or offended feelings, or
That motorcycles are invisible to public policy
In either case, it appears that motorcyclists are being made scapegoats for a faulty administrative decision and as a result will have onerous conditions placed upon them.
MORE