Category: Safety Issues

The Victorian Government has recently launched a new road safety campaign aiming to improve relations between cyclists and motorists. No doubt spurred on by the recent Shane Warne incident the program concentrates on findings that show we are ruder on the road than in other aspects of our lives.

Minister for Roads Terry Mulder said, “We know many bike riders feel that drivers resent their presence on the roads, and many drivers are unaware of the challenges faced by bike riders, or even realise they are there.

“Eighty-eight per cent of drivers and bike riders agree there needs to be greater mutual respect between road users.”

Our own anecdotal evidence shows that it doesn’t take much for a cyclist v motorist debate to flare up, either on the road or in any daily discussion.

An increase in the popularity of cycling in recent years, for recreational and commuting purposes, means motorists would be wise to be more aware of their obligations and, perhaps just as importantly, simple courtesies.

Product Safety Australia has just sent out this video warning of the dangers faced by home mechanics who fancy a bit of motoring DIY. We’re not entirely sure if an “anti-manual” is the best approach, but the message is otherwise quite sound.

According to the stats listed at the end of the video 46 people have died in Australia over the last 10 years from accidents involving car jacks. Every year around 160 people are injured while working under a car.

You can watch the video after the break and also check the Product Safety Australia website for more info.

Advertising standards and equality for the sexes have come along way in the last four decades. To see just how far, check out the ad for Goodyear Polyglas tyres after the jump.

In the meekest of defences for the copywriting, the ad was reportedly shown during the broadcast for the NFL’s first ever Monday night game in 1970. So it was intended for a largely male audience. Watch the clip to see how flimsy that defence really is.

[Thanks to Simone for the tip]

The Motor Accident Commission (MAC) of South Australia has just launched a new road safety campaign where humour, rather than violent graphic imagery, has been used to convey its message.

The “Matemorphosis” campaign is aimed at rural drivers, but the principles apply across the board. Tom Kenyon, SA Road Safety Minister explains what Matemorphosis is all about, “Basically this means your mate has ‘morphed’ into a person that risks losing their life by ‘creeping’ over the speed limit, hooning, not wearing a seatbelt, drink driving, or driving while on drugs or fatigued.

“Many young men find it difficult to speak about road safety in their peer groups. The irreverent nature of the campaign empowers them to speak up when their mates are showing signs of Matemorphosis, as it just may save their life.”

Crucial to the message is the high representation of rural drivers in fatalities. According to MAC’s stats one third of the state’s population live in rural areas, yet 60% of fatalities and 50% of serious injuries are on rural roads.

Watch the ads after the break. We’d love to hear how effective you think this different approach to the road safety message will be, as well.