THE MOTORCYCLE SAFETY LEVY: PROVIDING AN INTEGRATED PROGRAM TOIMPROVE MOTORCYCLIST SAFETY IN VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA

摘要

A Motorcycle Safety Levy was introduced in Victoria in 2002 in recognition of thevulnerability of motorcyclists and their over-representation in road trauma statistics. TheLevy enables the implementation of a program of road safety initiatives that address thekey issues causing trauma to motorcyclists. Since implementation of the Levy, alongsidethe Victorian road safety strategy, motorcycle fatalities have decreased in Victoria, whilstincreasing across the rest of Australia.A strategic framework to guide expenditure of Levy funds was developed with input fromMonash University Accident Research Centre, motorcycle safety professionals, andmembers of the Victorian Motorcycle Advisory Council. Four priority areas were identified:engineering and technology; education and training; enhanced data collection andanalysis; and enforcement.One of the most important initiatives to be funded by the Levy is road improvements atblackspot locations where there is a history of motorcycle crashes. The Levy is also beingused to develop and implement education, training and research projects. These areexpected to provide improvements in rider safety over the longer term.This paper will provide an overview of the Motorcycle Safety Levy and the program ofinitiatives it funds and discuss the expected and potential benefits for motorcyclist safety inVictoria.