Call to fine cars that break down. Vic.

[joolz]

Saw this in the news today and had to laugh but im sure it will become law someday.
To be fined if your car breaks down an any major Melbourne arterial during peak hour (basically all day) is IMO stupid. Unless its due to neglect of the vehicle like running out of fuel.

Its not like we go out of our way to break down.

A while back in my EL on the way to Adelaide from Melbourne i got around 10k's from home and the engine just stopped. After getting a tow truck home and several hours later it was the fuel pump. Now these cannot be serviced nor can you predict when they may go. Now if this was to happen under these stupid laws i would have copped a fine on top of the tow and repairs.

Is it just me but motorists are just revenue for the Gov!

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/mor...-1226354236410

[blueoval]

this will open a can of worms. Imagine the implications if you broke down, get fined for it, and then you sue the car manufacturer for a part that was the cause of the break down to cover the costs???

I agree, some things are due to owner neglect, but what if its a manufacturer issue? Do you think they will cover the fines based on your location of break down? I doubt it.

[onfire]

Originally Posted by blueoval

this will open a can of worms. Imagine the implications if you broke down, get fined for it, and then you sue the car manufacturer for a part that was the cause of the break down to cover the costs???

I agree, some things are due to owner neglect, but what if its a manufacturer issue? Do you think they will cover the fines based on your location of break down? I doubt it.

I think that's the difference right there. If the car is a pos, yes fine the owner.

A genuine problem, sure.. you'd probably have the option to dispute it as you would a speeding or parking fine.

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by onfire

I think that's the difference right there. If the car is a pos, yes fine the owner.

A genuine problem, sure.. you'd probably have the option to dispute it as you would a speeding or parking fine.

Yes but they should fine the person for driving a POS though ..... Not because they broke down. But because they are driving a POS!

They are removing so many emergency lanes in Melbournes freeways so of course when a couple of the 10's of 10000's of cars per day break its going to be poo for everyone behind them.

Last week my 6 month old falcon got a puncture on the monash. If I got a fine for pulling over, in the state of mind I was in at the time, I think they would have locked me up!

[BHDOGS]

What bout a mechanic that didn't do his job properly? What bout dodgy fuel from a servo? Haha a laughable idea and impractical

[Rockape]

Just another tax..

[sudszy]

Originally Posted by joolz

Saw this in the news today and had to laugh but im sure it will become law someday.
To be fined if your car breaks down an any major Melbourne arterial during peak hour (basically all day) is IMO stupid. Unless its due to neglect of the vehicle like running out of fuel.

Its not like we go out of our way to break down.

A while back in my EL on the way to Adelaide from Melbourne i got around 10k's from home and the engine just stopped. After getting a tow truck home and several hours later it was the fuel pump. Now these cannot be serviced nor can you predict when they may go. Now if this was to happen under these stupid laws i would have copped a fine on top of the tow and repairs.

Is it just me but motorists are just revenue for the Gov!

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/mor...-1226354236410

Sorry, couldnt read the article, needs a login. Was there any advice on what the majority of the breakdowns were due to. One would hope that getting a flat wouldnt be a case for a fine.

I tuned into 774kHz on the tailend of a woman complaining about this today.
She was carrying on about how "anyone" can just run out of fuel because its happened to her because she was distracted by her kids and failed to notice the low gauge and fuel warning lamp!.

My opinion is it is cases such as that which warrant such actions, not taking seriously the responsibility of driving a vehicle and the effect to the rest of us when her actions result in a traffic snarl, would she have the same carelessness if she was flying an aircraft.

Perhaps there ought to be a pre drive checklist for dimwits such as her to follow, fuel, water.......brain

[Charliewool]

Heard some "would be expert" (Harold Scrubby type) commenting on 3AW this morning on this issue.
His solution for avoiding breakdowns was an annual roadworthy check!(naturally!)
From that, I gather NSW cars NEVER breakdown???

[EATHSV]

They fine you for leaving your window down an inch in tassie. Aparently it encourages theves to break into your car....
I asked a police officer about it and he said that if the windows up they won't take the oppitunity..... I replied that if they weren't breaking into my car I wouldn't take the oppitunity beat them to death with my tyre iron.. he laughed.

[eyes87]

Originally Posted by EATHSV

They fine you for leaving your window down an inch in tassie. Aparently it encourages theves to break into your car....
I asked a police officer about it and he said that if the windows up they won't take the oppitunity..... I replied that if they weren't breaking into my car I wouldn't take the oppitunity beat them to death with my tyre iron.. he laughed.

And leaving your car unlocked. Had a mate get fined a month or so back. Pulled up at the atm. Got out and while withdrawing money a cop crossed the road, opened the door and when my mate asked what he was doing cop replied with it's illegal to leave your car unlocked. Then booked him. They also checked every car in the local shopping center car park that day as well.
Booked heaps.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by eyes87

And leaving your car unlocked. Had ate get fined a month or so back. Pulled up at the atm. Got out and while withdrawing money a cop crossed the road, opened the door and when my mate asked what he was doing cop replied with it's illegal to leave your car unlocked. Then booked him. They also checked every car in the local shopping center car park that day as well.
Booked heaps.

What a joke. Society has gone to the crap heap if they are fining for petty stuff like that.

[JC]

Originally Posted by eyes87

And leaving your car unlocked. Had a mate get fined a month or so back. Pulled up at the atm. Got out and while withdrawing money a cop crossed the road, opened the door and when my mate asked what he was doing cop replied with it's illegal to leave your car unlocked. Then booked him. They also checked every car in the local shopping center car park that day as well.
Booked heaps.

Better use of police resources to issue you a fine than try and catch the people who stole your stuff - at least to the govt cofffers!

I agree with fines for those that cause a traffic delay. So who do they send the bill to for the lights changing from green to red????

[mik]

any number of things can go wrong and still be nothing to do with poor maintenance, hands up all those that have had a new car with some sort of complex electronic device go awry? flat tyre anyone?

to me looks like another money grab.

[flappist]

It is not a tax nor is it government policy.

It is just the same group of idiot do-gooder car haters raving on over crap about which they have no idea trying to get media attention which of course always sets off the second tier idiot do-gooder car haters in a frenzy to support the first tier idiot do-gooder car haters by means of talk back radio and even internet forums.

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by flappist

It is not a tax nor is it government policy.

It is just the same group of idiot do-gooder car haters raving on over crap about which they have no idea trying to get media attention which of course always sets off the second tier idiot do-gooder car haters in a frenzy to support the first tier idiot do-gooder car haters by means of talk back radio and even internet forums.

idiot do-gooder that was inconvenienced this morning... What a stupid idea. I thought that's what emergency pull-over lanes were for?

[Geez Louise]

It is a sneaky way for them to bring in yearly RWC in Victoria which they are pushing for...More money we have to pay to be able to live in the Nanny State.

We will no doubt start to see more stories on Accidents with cars that had a faulty this, faulty that....Surely the accident wouldn't have happened if that car had to pass a RWC yearly??...And so many breakdowns on the Westgate...well if the cars were checked every year the number would go down significantly...Pfft! Sure..yearly inspections would pick up Everything!!

Oh yes my fellow Victorians...it will be bought in...and quicker than you think!!

[sudszy]

Originally Posted by Geez Louise

It is a sneaky way for them to bring in yearly RWC in Victoria which they are pushing for...More money we have to pay to be able to live in the Nanny State.

We will no doubt start to see more stories on Accidents with cars that had a faulty this, faulty that....Surely the accident wouldn't have happened if that car had to pass a RWC yearly??...And so many breakdowns on the Westgate...well if the cars were checked every year the number would go down significantly...Pfft! Sure..yearly inspections would pick up Everything!!

Oh yes my fellow Victorians...it will be bought in...and quicker than you think!!

This is what it says on the vicroads site:
The roadworthiness test is not a check of the mechanical reliability or general condition of the vehicle.

What is inspected:
other safety related items on the body, chassis or engine.

It would of course be an arguable case to state that mechanical reliability will affect safety and that an engine with deteriorated wiring, perished radiator hoses etc could fail and create a safety concern.

For the diy enthusiast: I have no trouble with an annual rwc inspection if it is free if you have no faults.

for those that pay to get their cars serviced, the servicer should be basically doing a rwc inspection on it each time and proof of that should be enough to satisfy authorities.

[XWGT]

Bollocks!

[JG34JA]

Says the bureaucrat Floyd Ferris: "You honest men are such a problem and such a headache. But we knew you'd slip sooner or later . . . [and break one of our regulations] . . . this is just what we wanted."

Rearden: "You seem to be pleased about it."

Bureaucrat Ferris: "Don't I have good reason to be?"

Rearden: "But, after all, I did break one of your laws."

Bureaucrat Ferris: "Well, what do you think they're there for? Did you really think that we want those laws to be observed? We want them broken. You'd better get it straight that it's not a bunch of boy scouts you're up against . . . We're after power and we mean it. You fellows were pikers, but we know the real trick, and you'd better get wise to it. There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted - and you create a nation of law-breakers - and then you cash in on guilt. Now that's the system, Mr. Rearden, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with."

Ayn Rand labeling it what it is...

(online ref: http://www.mind-trek.com/articles/t12d.htm )

[Racecraft]

I'd take the fine over the Qld "pusher" system....

[DJM83]

I reckon an annual RWC should be mandatory. When i was living in NSW the amount of poorly maintained cars was no where near as bad as in Vic or QLD (plenty up here)

But stick with the 3 year rule (No car 3 years or newer needs one)

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by DJM83

I reckon an annual RWC should be mandatory. When i was living in NSW the amount of poorly maintained cars was no where near as bad as in Vic or QLD (plenty up here)

But stick with the 3 year rule (No car 3 years or newer needs one)

It's 5 years now

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by DJM83

I reckon an annual RWC should be mandatory. When i was living in NSW the amount of poorly maintained cars was no where near as bad as in Vic or QLD (plenty up here)

But stick with the 3 year rule (No car 3 years or newer needs one)

A fact, the reason why Victoria has not gone down the mandatory RWC path is that is proven by FACTS collected over many years that less than 1% of all cars that are involved in fatal or near fatal motor vehicle incidents are proven to be unroadworthy.




I think I have seen on one of them New Zealand Police shows that people can booked when their cars breakdown on the freeways (motorways)

[HUNTER8]

Car breaks down ............... you get a fine.
Not paying attention and you cause a major pile up .......... no problems.

Wonder what happens if you blow a tyre on one of their potholes?

[Yellow_Festiva]

Say I no longer drive incase my car breaks down, can I fine the Dept of Transport each time my train is late or does not come at all?

After all... that isn't my fault now is it?

[joolz]

For those that cant read the news article link>>


MOTORING and transport groups have called for the owners of cars and trucks that break down on freeways during peak hour to be penalised.

This follows a spate of incidents in which single vehicles have delayed thousands of frustrated motorists by conking out on CityLink or the Monash Freeway.

VicRoad's decision last week to slash the number of emergency crews by half - a response to state budget cuts - is likely to make the situation worse.

Road experts said many mechanical breakdowns were caused by poor maintenance and were avoidable.

More than 451 trucks broke down on CityLink last year alone - an average of two per day.

About 3199 cars - or nine a day - stopped on freeways and major arterial roads.

Figures from the RACV reveal motorists were most likely to have their journey blocked by stalled vehicles on the Monash Freeway, with more than 670 calls for assistance in the first three months of this year.

Victorian Transport Association CEO Phil Lovel, said: "There has to be some kind of a penalty.

"It can't keep happening and ruining the efficiency of our road system."

National Motorists Association of Australia spokesman Michael Lane said while fines would be difficult to enforce in court, some sort of stick was needed to make drivers accept responsibility for their actions.

He called for mandatory road worthiness checks to be imposed after a suspect breakdown.

Mr Lovel went further, stating VicRoads should inspect the maintenance records of serial offenders, including trucking companies.

CityLink spokeswoman Natasha Whalley said mechanical failure accounted for 31 per cent of all incidents attended by emergency crews on the toll road in 2010-11.

"When a car or truck breaks down on CityLink, we can respond on average in approximately six minutes," she said.

"However, depending on the nature of the breakdown, particularly for trucks, it can take 30 to 40 minutes to clear the scene."

VicRoads manager traffic and incident management, Keith Weegberg said there was virtually no spare capacity on our major roads during peak periods when things went wrong.

[Geez Louise]

Originally Posted by Phil Lovel Victorian Transport Association CEO

"It can't keep happening and ruining the efficiency of our road system."

This is in the running for quote of the year!!

[burnz]

Originally Posted by joolz

For those that cant read the news article link>>


MOTORING and transport groups have called for the owners of cars and trucks that break down on freeways during peak hour to be penalised.

This follows a spate of incidents in which single vehicles have delayed thousands of frustrated motorists by conking out on CityLink or the Monash Freeway.

VicRoad's decision last week to slash the number of emergency crews by half - a response to state budget cuts - is likely to make the situation worse.

Road experts said many mechanical breakdowns were caused by poor maintenance and were avoidable.

More than 451 trucks broke down on CityLink last year alone - an average of two per day.

About 3199 cars - or nine a day - stopped on freeways and major arterial roads.

Figures from the RACV reveal motorists were most likely to have their journey blocked by stalled vehicles on the Monash Freeway, with more than 670 calls for assistance in the first three months of this year.

Victorian Transport Association CEO Phil Lovel, said: "There has to be some kind of a penalty.

"It can't keep happening and ruining the efficiency of our road system."

National Motorists Association of Australia spokesman Michael Lane said while fines would be difficult to enforce in court, some sort of stick was needed to make drivers accept responsibility for their actions.

He called for mandatory road worthiness checks to be imposed after a suspect breakdown.

Mr Lovel went further, stating VicRoads should inspect the maintenance records of serial offenders, including trucking companies.

CityLink spokeswoman Natasha Whalley said mechanical failure accounted for 31 per cent of all incidents attended by emergency crews on the toll road in 2010-11.

"When a car or truck breaks down on CityLink, we can respond on average in approximately six minutes," she said.

"However, depending on the nature of the breakdown, particularly for trucks, it can take 30 to 40 minutes to clear the scene."

VicRoads manager traffic and incident management, Keith Weegberg said there was virtually no spare capacity on our major roads during peak periods when things went wrong.

i have to ask? how many of those cars were tennex cars.

[HUNTER8]

Originally Posted by joolz

This follows a spate of incidents in which single vehicles have delayed thousands of frustrated motorists by conking out on CityLink or the Monash Freeway.
\VicRoads manager traffic and incident management, Keith Weegberg said there was virtually no spare capacity on our major roads during peak periods when things went wrong.

If it's anything like Adelaide the main cause of delay is the roadworks being done on just about any main road you drive on.

[joolz]

If it was to become law they would have to define a "breakdown" due to the following..
"Road experts said many mechanical breakdowns were caused by poor maintenance and were avoidable"

As many cars can just stop a week from new.

Or maybe this is just a cover up for the very poor road planning from Vicroads...

The sudden loss of a lane inbound on the Monash at Warrigal Rd and the centre lane on the Bolte bridge to access the westgate Fwy inbound for examples... The Bolte is a joke in the mornings.