http://www.caradvice.com.au/159712/nsw-government-to-close-company-car-demerit-point-loophole/
The New South Wales government will block a legal loophole that currently allows drivers of company cars to avoid losing points on their licences for committing traffic offences.
Roads minister Duncan Gay explained laws introduced into parliament this week would see companies fined up to $16,500 if they did not name the driver who was caught by a traffic camera.
“The NSW government is putting companies on notice that if they do the wrong thing and fail to nominate a driver they will face increased fines,” Gay said in a statement.
“If the companies do the right thing and nominate offending drivers, they will avoid facing these additional measures.”
Currently, companies who do not nominate a driver are fined in excess of $1000 per offence, and no demerit points are issued.
Under the new legislation, fines for penalty notices in company names will increase, with companies to be fined five times more than an individual would pay for offences captured by cameras. Court fees will also increase five-fold if the issues are taken to court.
The loophole hit the headlines in 2010 when a BMW belonging to celebrity agent Max Markson’s company racked up offences totalling 15 demerit points, but the company instead elected to pay around $5500 in fines, dodging the points.
At the time, the State Debt Recovery Office said it issued approximately 50 fail-to-nominate penalties every day.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Seniors fight push for elderly drivers to hand licences in
http://www.news.com.au/seniors-fight-push-for-elderly-drivers-to-hand-licences-in/story-fn7x8me2-1226275191486
POLICE are urging loved ones to convince struggling elderly drivers to hand in their licence in a bid to improve road safety.
Recent fatal crashes involving older drivers have prompted the plea.
But seniors groups labelled the move discriminatory and believed it would not reduce the number of collisions.
Should elderly drivers have their licences taken away? Tell us what you think below
VicRoads data shows that there are 3.5 million Victorians with licences, including 108 that are aged more than 99.
There are 393,000 drivers aged between 70 and 99.
Victoria Police Superintendent Neville Taylor said some of the state's best drivers were those who had been driving for decades, but it was important for them to know their limitations.
"It is highly important that as people get older and may have concerns about their changing driving ability, that they talk with their family and also seek medical advice where appropriate," Supt Taylor said.
"Similarly, it is important that family and friends also talk with an older driver should they have any safety concerns about their driving or road behaviour.
"We understand these can be difficult conversations to have, but they are important ones, not only for the safety of the family member, but for all road users."
Police praised drivers such as 100-year-old Maisie Griffiths, who after 82 years of driving boasts a clean record: no speeding fines, parking tickets or accidents.
"It's (driving) part of my life," she told the Herald Sun.
"You just have to be mighty careful.
Diamond Creek Highway Patrol Sgt Wayne Burton said people concerned about elderly relatives or friends should talk to them or get VicRoads to intervene.
"It is not because you are dobbing them in, it is because you care for them," Sgt Burton said.
Stats show that seven people aged above 70 have died this year in car crashes, the same figure that accounts for deaths in 18 to 20-year-olds.
Five of the deaths for the over-70s related to running off a straight road.
A 93-year-old man died in Ivanhoe last month after he hit the accelerator instead of the brakes and ran through an intersection.
A 74-year-old woman was hospitalised and her passenger died after she hit a bridge railing near Echuca last month.
POLICE are urging loved ones to convince struggling elderly drivers to hand in their licence in a bid to improve road safety.
Recent fatal crashes involving older drivers have prompted the plea.
But seniors groups labelled the move discriminatory and believed it would not reduce the number of collisions.
Should elderly drivers have their licences taken away? Tell us what you think below
VicRoads data shows that there are 3.5 million Victorians with licences, including 108 that are aged more than 99.
There are 393,000 drivers aged between 70 and 99.
Victoria Police Superintendent Neville Taylor said some of the state's best drivers were those who had been driving for decades, but it was important for them to know their limitations.
"It is highly important that as people get older and may have concerns about their changing driving ability, that they talk with their family and also seek medical advice where appropriate," Supt Taylor said.
"Similarly, it is important that family and friends also talk with an older driver should they have any safety concerns about their driving or road behaviour.
"We understand these can be difficult conversations to have, but they are important ones, not only for the safety of the family member, but for all road users."
Police praised drivers such as 100-year-old Maisie Griffiths, who after 82 years of driving boasts a clean record: no speeding fines, parking tickets or accidents.
"It's (driving) part of my life," she told the Herald Sun.
"You just have to be mighty careful.
Diamond Creek Highway Patrol Sgt Wayne Burton said people concerned about elderly relatives or friends should talk to them or get VicRoads to intervene.
"It is not because you are dobbing them in, it is because you care for them," Sgt Burton said.
Stats show that seven people aged above 70 have died this year in car crashes, the same figure that accounts for deaths in 18 to 20-year-olds.
Five of the deaths for the over-70s related to running off a straight road.
A 93-year-old man died in Ivanhoe last month after he hit the accelerator instead of the brakes and ran through an intersection.
A 74-year-old woman was hospitalised and her passenger died after she hit a bridge railing near Echuca last month.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Supporting TEDx @ Scotts College
No more speeding tickets -SpeedAlert-Live the free app that protects your driving license from the risks of unintentional speeding. www.speedalertlive.com
Found this Blog interesting? Please consider sharing.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
teen driver survey
http://www.carsales.com.au/news/2010/oneinfour-teens-fudges-learner-logbooks-18939
http://www.youngsalvos.com/278087-Teenager-Car-Accident-Statistics-What-You-As-a-Parent-Must-Know.html
http://www.autochic.com.au/garage/safety/Teen-Car-Accident-Statistics/
http://www.youngsalvos.com/278087-Teenager-Car-Accident-Statistics-What-You-As-a-Parent-Must-Know.html
http://www.autochic.com.au/garage/safety/Teen-Car-Accident-Statistics/
Road Safety Remuneration Bill is a union grab for power and would not improve safety, the manager of ATA NSW
http://www.tandlnews.com.au////article/ATA-attacks-Safe-Rates/UURHGSZSAR.html
he Federal Government’s Road Safety Remuneration Bill is a union grab for power and would not improve safety, the manager of ATA NSW, Jill Lewis, said. ATA NSW is a member association for NSW trucking operators.
The government’s bill would establish a new tribunal that would have the power to set payment rates in the trucking industry, Ms Lewis said.
“In conjunction with our industrial relations partner, Ai Group, ATA NSW has analysed the bill and made a submission with a supporting letter to the House of Representatives committee inquiry into the legislation.
“The submission and our letter point out that the bill would not improve safety. The government’s own regulatory impact statement admits that no causal link has been established between payments and safety, despite endless inquiries paid for by taxpayers at the urging of the TWU.
“Instead, the bill is nothing but a union power grab. Under section 19 of the bill, unions would have an almost unfettered right to apply for road safety remuneration orders. But employer associations would have to get leave to apply – and identify all the employers they were representing in the application.
“These provisions would most likely lead to industrial retribution against small business employers, and show the bill is not about safety – it’s about power.
“In addition, the bill would enable the tribunal to impose orders on businesses that do not directly employ drivers. For example, if a company were to engage a contractor to do a road freight task, and the contractor then subcontracted the work further, the original company could be held to account for commercial arrangements it did not negotiate and had no power to alter.”
Ms Lewis said the Government should abandon the bill, and instead focus on proven ways to improve road safety.
“In 2011, Australia recorded the lowest number of road deaths since 1946. Every road death is a tragedy, however, and there are proven ways the Government could improve road safety further,” Ms Lewis said.
These could include:
A requirement for mandatory safe driving plans for all road freight tasks over 500 kilometres.
The use of GPS enabled on-board tracking devices for line-haul vehicles.
Incentives for businesses to join accreditation schemes like the ATA’s TruckSafe program.
Pursuing the industry’s customers under the existing chain of responsibility laws for safety breaches rather than focusing on the soft targets of the operator and the driver.
he Federal Government’s Road Safety Remuneration Bill is a union grab for power and would not improve safety, the manager of ATA NSW, Jill Lewis, said. ATA NSW is a member association for NSW trucking operators.
The government’s bill would establish a new tribunal that would have the power to set payment rates in the trucking industry, Ms Lewis said.
“In conjunction with our industrial relations partner, Ai Group, ATA NSW has analysed the bill and made a submission with a supporting letter to the House of Representatives committee inquiry into the legislation.
“The submission and our letter point out that the bill would not improve safety. The government’s own regulatory impact statement admits that no causal link has been established between payments and safety, despite endless inquiries paid for by taxpayers at the urging of the TWU.
“Instead, the bill is nothing but a union power grab. Under section 19 of the bill, unions would have an almost unfettered right to apply for road safety remuneration orders. But employer associations would have to get leave to apply – and identify all the employers they were representing in the application.
“These provisions would most likely lead to industrial retribution against small business employers, and show the bill is not about safety – it’s about power.
“In addition, the bill would enable the tribunal to impose orders on businesses that do not directly employ drivers. For example, if a company were to engage a contractor to do a road freight task, and the contractor then subcontracted the work further, the original company could be held to account for commercial arrangements it did not negotiate and had no power to alter.”
Ms Lewis said the Government should abandon the bill, and instead focus on proven ways to improve road safety.
“In 2011, Australia recorded the lowest number of road deaths since 1946. Every road death is a tragedy, however, and there are proven ways the Government could improve road safety further,” Ms Lewis said.
These could include:
A requirement for mandatory safe driving plans for all road freight tasks over 500 kilometres.
The use of GPS enabled on-board tracking devices for line-haul vehicles.
Incentives for businesses to join accreditation schemes like the ATA’s TruckSafe program.
Pursuing the industry’s customers under the existing chain of responsibility laws for safety breaches rather than focusing on the soft targets of the operator and the driver.
Speed limits of 30km/h should be tested near shopping areas, hospitals, schools and aged-care homes after WA had the biggest number of pedestrian deat
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/12825993/road-safety-expert-calls-for-30km-h-limit-trials/
Speed limits of 30km/h should be tested near shopping areas, hospitals, schools and aged-care homes after WA had the biggest number of pedestrian deaths in 11 years, road safety experts said yesterday.
Curtin-Monash Accident Research Centre director Brett Hughes said 30km/h speed limit trials were needed after 26 pedestrians were killed by vehicles in WA last year - the equal worst toll since 2000 when 34 pedestrians died.
He said research showed a person hit by a vehicle travelling at 30km/h had a strong chance of surviving, but those hit at 50km/h rarely lived.
Mr Hughes said lower limits should be tested in Perth's busy areas such as shopping precincts and where there were high numbers of vulnerable pedestrians, such as the elderly, the sick and children.
Main Roads WA has tested lower speed limits at six locations. The first of those trials, which cut the limit by 10km/h to 40km/h on a stretch of Beaufort Street, finished last year.
Others include 40km/h on a part of Albany Highway in Victoria Park, 30km/h on a part of Oxford Street in Leederville and 50km/h on stretches of Great Eastern Highway in Mundaring and South Western Highway in Byford.
Main Roads acting traffic manager Clint Cooper said they would meet Office of Road Safety and local government representatives next month to discuss the trials.
Transport Minister Troy Buswell said the trial results would "provide a valuable guide in determining the most effective and appropriate treatments to enhance pedestrian safety at specific locations".
Shadow road safety minister Michelle Roberts said she would support 30km/h trials in limited locations.
She said an analysis of the deaths last year, such as where, when and how, was needed to better understand the increase.
Gilbert Crossley's 74-year-old wife Eileen died when hit by a car as she crossed Lloyd Street in Midland last month. He believes she would not have been killed if the limit had been 30km/h, not 60km/h, on the road adjacent to Midland Gate Shopping Centre.
"I think they should try 30km/h limits," he said. "If it only saves even one person then it is a good thing."
Speed limits of 30km/h should be tested near shopping areas, hospitals, schools and aged-care homes after WA had the biggest number of pedestrian deaths in 11 years, road safety experts said yesterday.
Curtin-Monash Accident Research Centre director Brett Hughes said 30km/h speed limit trials were needed after 26 pedestrians were killed by vehicles in WA last year - the equal worst toll since 2000 when 34 pedestrians died.
He said research showed a person hit by a vehicle travelling at 30km/h had a strong chance of surviving, but those hit at 50km/h rarely lived.
Mr Hughes said lower limits should be tested in Perth's busy areas such as shopping precincts and where there were high numbers of vulnerable pedestrians, such as the elderly, the sick and children.
Main Roads WA has tested lower speed limits at six locations. The first of those trials, which cut the limit by 10km/h to 40km/h on a stretch of Beaufort Street, finished last year.
Others include 40km/h on a part of Albany Highway in Victoria Park, 30km/h on a part of Oxford Street in Leederville and 50km/h on stretches of Great Eastern Highway in Mundaring and South Western Highway in Byford.
Main Roads acting traffic manager Clint Cooper said they would meet Office of Road Safety and local government representatives next month to discuss the trials.
Transport Minister Troy Buswell said the trial results would "provide a valuable guide in determining the most effective and appropriate treatments to enhance pedestrian safety at specific locations".
Shadow road safety minister Michelle Roberts said she would support 30km/h trials in limited locations.
She said an analysis of the deaths last year, such as where, when and how, was needed to better understand the increase.
Gilbert Crossley's 74-year-old wife Eileen died when hit by a car as she crossed Lloyd Street in Midland last month. He believes she would not have been killed if the limit had been 30km/h, not 60km/h, on the road adjacent to Midland Gate Shopping Centre.
"I think they should try 30km/h limits," he said. "If it only saves even one person then it is a good thing."
www.cameracommissioner.vic.gov.au
Road Safety Camera Commissioner
07 Feb, 2012
Motorists will be represented by Australia's first independent Road Safety Camera Commissioner as the Victorian Government continues to increase integrity measures around speed and red light cameras.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Peter Ryan said former County Court Judge Gordon Lewis AM would provide independent oversight of Victoria's road safety camera system.
The Road Safety Camera Commissioner's office will perform the following roles:
quality assurance and reporting: to independently monitor and review current camera operations.
investigation and review: any part of the system at his own choosing, or if requested by the Minister to do so.
complaints management: so any person who feels they have been hard-done-by can lodge a complaint with the Camera Commissioner, though it will not be his role to intervene in individual cases; and
reference group: the Camera Commissioner will be able to establish a reference group of external advisors to assist him in his role.
The Road Safety Camera Commissioner's Office can be contacted on 1300 651 838 or by visiting www.cameracommissioner.vic.gov.au.
Complaints or correspondence to the Commissioner should be in writing and addressed to the Road Safety Camera Commissioner, Locked Bag 14, Collins Street East, Melbourne VIC 8003.
07 Feb, 2012
Motorists will be represented by Australia's first independent Road Safety Camera Commissioner as the Victorian Government continues to increase integrity measures around speed and red light cameras.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Peter Ryan said former County Court Judge Gordon Lewis AM would provide independent oversight of Victoria's road safety camera system.
The Road Safety Camera Commissioner's office will perform the following roles:
quality assurance and reporting: to independently monitor and review current camera operations.
investigation and review: any part of the system at his own choosing, or if requested by the Minister to do so.
complaints management: so any person who feels they have been hard-done-by can lodge a complaint with the Camera Commissioner, though it will not be his role to intervene in individual cases; and
reference group: the Camera Commissioner will be able to establish a reference group of external advisors to assist him in his role.
The Road Safety Camera Commissioner's Office can be contacted on 1300 651 838 or by visiting www.cameracommissioner.vic.gov.au.
Complaints or correspondence to the Commissioner should be in writing and addressed to the Road Safety Camera Commissioner, Locked Bag 14, Collins Street East, Melbourne VIC 8003.
Progressive’s Image Capture Technology Saves Users Time, Helps Drivers Quote and Buy Auto Insurance Using Their Smartphone Camera Read more here: htt
http://www.sunherald.com/2012/02/02/3726414/progressives-image-capture-technology.html
Consumers can get a quote in minutes by snapping a picture
E-MAIL
PRINT
REPRINT OR LICENSE
TEXT SIZE:
MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio -- With Image Capture from Progressive® Insurance, consumers can get a car insurance quote in minutes. The new mobile photo quoting technology, only available from Progressive, simplifies the insurance quoting and buying process by using a smartphone camera and the existing Progressive app. Image Capture is a first in the insurance industry, capitalizing on the popular technology used to deposit checks in the banking industry.
To use Image Capture, consumers enter their zip code and take a picture of their driver’s license, Vehicle Identification Number or existing insurance ID card with their smartphone. The app scans the image for information such as name and address, and auto-populates the necessary information to get an auto insurance quote. The user confirms the information is correct, and receives an auto insurance quote in minutes, with the option to buy the policy.
“We introduced Image Capture with the goal of simplifying the process of getting an auto insurance quote,” said Matt Lehman, Progressive’s mobile business leader. “The new technology gives consumers another way to get insurance by using items most people have in their pocket or purse – a smartphone and a driver’s license.”
Image Capture, powered by Mitek Systems, will initially roll out to 15 states in February. Additional states will be added throughou
Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/2012/02/02/3726414/progressives-image-capture-technology.html#storylink=cpy
Consumers can get a quote in minutes by snapping a picture
REPRINT OR LICENSE
TEXT SIZE:
MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio -- With Image Capture from Progressive® Insurance, consumers can get a car insurance quote in minutes. The new mobile photo quoting technology, only available from Progressive, simplifies the insurance quoting and buying process by using a smartphone camera and the existing Progressive app. Image Capture is a first in the insurance industry, capitalizing on the popular technology used to deposit checks in the banking industry.
To use Image Capture, consumers enter their zip code and take a picture of their driver’s license, Vehicle Identification Number or existing insurance ID card with their smartphone. The app scans the image for information such as name and address, and auto-populates the necessary information to get an auto insurance quote. The user confirms the information is correct, and receives an auto insurance quote in minutes, with the option to buy the policy.
“We introduced Image Capture with the goal of simplifying the process of getting an auto insurance quote,” said Matt Lehman, Progressive’s mobile business leader. “The new technology gives consumers another way to get insurance by using items most people have in their pocket or purse – a smartphone and a driver’s license.”
Image Capture, powered by Mitek Systems, will initially roll out to 15 states in February. Additional states will be added throughou
Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/2012/02/02/3726414/progressives-image-capture-technology.html#storylink=cpy
Friday, February 3, 2012
the Road Safety Remuneration Bill set to go through Federal Parliament early this year, the TWU has been active in lobbying NSW MPs to sign a pledge t
http://www.twunsw.org.au/enews/Safe_Rates_Campaign_continues.shtml
2 Feb, 2012
With the Road Safety Remuneration Bill set to go through Federal Parliament early this year, the TWU has been active in lobbying NSW MPs to sign a pledge to support the legislation.
Currently we’ve received undertakings from a number of MPs to sign this pledge but are still pressing forward to get the support this bill deserves.
Recently Stephen Jones, the Federal Member for Throsby on the South Coast, met with TWU official Lee Lawler and member Len Hartley and discussed the bill. Stephen has publicly declared his support for the bill and signed our pledge.
2 Feb, 2012
With the Road Safety Remuneration Bill set to go through Federal Parliament early this year, the TWU has been active in lobbying NSW MPs to sign a pledge to support the legislation.
Currently we’ve received undertakings from a number of MPs to sign this pledge but are still pressing forward to get the support this bill deserves.
Recently Stephen Jones, the Federal Member for Throsby on the South Coast, met with TWU official Lee Lawler and member Len Hartley and discussed the bill. Stephen has publicly declared his support for the bill and signed our pledge.
The Government will establish a new national road safety system to tackle speed, fatigue and dangerous work practices
http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2011/November/AA215_2011.aspx
The Government will establish a new national road safety system to tackle speed, fatigue and dangerous work practices in the trucking industry - to make Australia’s roads safer for all drivers.
The new Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal will have the ability to set pay or pay-related conditions to ensure safe driving practices.
This will save lives by ensuring that truck drivers are paid reasonably for the work they do, getting rid of the economic incentive for drivers to take unacceptable risks on our roads.
Around 250 people are killed and more than 1,000 people suffer serious injuries on our roads each year in accidents involving trucks. Most of those deaths involve other vehicles in a collision with trucks.
Truck drivers should not have to speed, overload their trucks, drive excessive hours or cut back on vehicle maintenance just to make a decent living.
The Government will introduce legislation this week to establish a national Road Safety Remuneration System comprising a Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal and a separate education and compliance framework.
The Tribunal will begin work on 1 July, 2012 and will include members from Fair Work Australia along with independent work, health and safety experts.
Where the tribunal determines that a sector of the industry has poor safety outcomes as a result of low remuneration, the tribunal will be able to make a Road Safety Remuneration Order to improve the on-road safety outcomes for drivers operating in that sector.
The Government has been working on this legislation for some time we released the Safe Rates, Safe Roads Directions Paper last year for public submissions and since the Safe Rates Advisory Group was established 12 months ago, industry has been consulted every step of the way.
Research by the National transport Commission shows low rates of pay can lead to and risky work practices by drivers to make ends meet.
These risky practices by drivers include speeding, long hours and using illicit substances.
The truck driving sector continues to have the highest incidence of fatal injuries compared to all other industries with 25 deaths per 100,000 workers in 2008-09 10 times the average for all industries.
In 2010, the total cost of heavy vehicle related accidents involving fatalities and serious injuries was $2.7 billion.
The Road Safety Remuneration System would complement existing and new initiatives in the road transport industry such as the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.
The Australian Government is committed to improving safety outcomes for truck drivers, while ensuring the long term viability of the road transport industry.
The nation’s roads are shared by all Australians and it is in everyone’s interests to ensure better safety on our roads.
The Government will establish a new national road safety system to tackle speed, fatigue and dangerous work practices in the trucking industry - to make Australia’s roads safer for all drivers.
The new Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal will have the ability to set pay or pay-related conditions to ensure safe driving practices.
This will save lives by ensuring that truck drivers are paid reasonably for the work they do, getting rid of the economic incentive for drivers to take unacceptable risks on our roads.
Around 250 people are killed and more than 1,000 people suffer serious injuries on our roads each year in accidents involving trucks. Most of those deaths involve other vehicles in a collision with trucks.
Truck drivers should not have to speed, overload their trucks, drive excessive hours or cut back on vehicle maintenance just to make a decent living.
The Government will introduce legislation this week to establish a national Road Safety Remuneration System comprising a Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal and a separate education and compliance framework.
The Tribunal will begin work on 1 July, 2012 and will include members from Fair Work Australia along with independent work, health and safety experts.
Where the tribunal determines that a sector of the industry has poor safety outcomes as a result of low remuneration, the tribunal will be able to make a Road Safety Remuneration Order to improve the on-road safety outcomes for drivers operating in that sector.
The Government has been working on this legislation for some time we released the Safe Rates, Safe Roads Directions Paper last year for public submissions and since the Safe Rates Advisory Group was established 12 months ago, industry has been consulted every step of the way.
Research by the National transport Commission shows low rates of pay can lead to and risky work practices by drivers to make ends meet.
These risky practices by drivers include speeding, long hours and using illicit substances.
The truck driving sector continues to have the highest incidence of fatal injuries compared to all other industries with 25 deaths per 100,000 workers in 2008-09 10 times the average for all industries.
In 2010, the total cost of heavy vehicle related accidents involving fatalities and serious injuries was $2.7 billion.
The Road Safety Remuneration System would complement existing and new initiatives in the road transport industry such as the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.
The Australian Government is committed to improving safety outcomes for truck drivers, while ensuring the long term viability of the road transport industry.
The nation’s roads are shared by all Australians and it is in everyone’s interests to ensure better safety on our roads.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
nsw More warning for NSW mobile speed cameras
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8411123/more-warning-for-nsw-mobile-speed-cameras
NSW motorists are to get earlier warning of "sneaky" mobile speed cameras.
State roads minister Duncan Gay has ordered bigger signs in camera locations, to eliminate "that whole feeling of entrapment" some drivers experience.
"Sneakiness in this area certainly does concern me," Mr Gay told the Seven Network on Monday.
"Road safety should have a deterrent role."
Private firm Redflex began operating six mobile speed cameras in July 2010, on a contract for the NSW government.
But the Seven Network has reported concerns that motorists are being given little or no notice when they are approaching the devices.
Mr Gay said he had ordered Roads and Maritime Services to replace the old signs.
"I've instructed the department to put in place larger signs, further away from these cameras," he said.
NSW motorists are to get earlier warning of "sneaky" mobile speed cameras.
State roads minister Duncan Gay has ordered bigger signs in camera locations, to eliminate "that whole feeling of entrapment" some drivers experience.
"Sneakiness in this area certainly does concern me," Mr Gay told the Seven Network on Monday.
"Road safety should have a deterrent role."
Private firm Redflex began operating six mobile speed cameras in July 2010, on a contract for the NSW government.
But the Seven Network has reported concerns that motorists are being given little or no notice when they are approaching the devices.
Mr Gay said he had ordered Roads and Maritime Services to replace the old signs.
"I've instructed the department to put in place larger signs, further away from these cameras," he said.
Insurers Use Rewards To Make Customers Safer, Cheaper
http://news.investors.com/Article/599170/201201271358/unitedhealth-progressive-reward-safer-healthier-customers.htm
Just as credit card companies offer rewards points to encourage more shopping, insurers offer incentives to foster safer habits — for your benefit and theirs.
Call it positive reinforcement via positive reimbursement. UnitedHealth Group (UNH), Progressive (PGR) and Allstate (ALL) are among the companies offering incentives in exchange for certain types of actions and behavior.
"You're getting at the heart of insurance business models, which is risk prediction," said Richard Hutchinson, Progressive's general manager for usage-based insurance.
The idea is that safer or healthier people cost less money, and insurers are choosing to reward good behavior rather than punish bad behavior.
Under UnitedHealth's Personal Rewards program, people with chronic conditions can get discounts on premiums or cash for fulfilling tasks on a personalized health road map.
By getting certain tests and screenings, meeting regularly with doctors, and agreeing to "wellness" coaching, policy holders rack up points that can translate to savings of up $1,200 a year.
For now, the program focuses on taking certain actions vs. producing actual results, such as losing pounds or lowering blood pressure. That's supposed to set people up for success rather than set them up for discouragement.
"You could easily succeed," said Yasmine Winkler, senior VP of product and innovation at UnitedHealthcare. "We're making it as easy as possible."
Cost Trade-Offs
The policy holder's employer pays for the incentives, betting that employees who execute a healthy game plan will have lower health care costs.
Personal Rewards is available to Hertz Global Holdings (HTZ) and Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) workers as well as UnitedHealth employees.
More than three-quarters of UnitedHealth's participants have earned points, and more than half have received some type of reward. They have also seen an average weight loss of 4.5%.
One worker even discovered he had three blocked arteries and had bypass surgery days later. He credited his Personal Rewards road map, which called for certain screenings, with saving his life.
For most participants, the program saves money, provides something to talk about at the water cooler, and pits spouses against each other in weight-loss contests.
"It's interesting to see what people are motivated by," Winkler said. "It's about coming up with the winning combination."
UnitedHealth is thinking about expanding the types of rewards people can get like gift cards or prizes.
The insurer is also developing mobile apps to incorporate in the program and is working with makers of video game consoles to create health-related games.
Just as credit card companies offer rewards points to encourage more shopping, insurers offer incentives to foster safer habits — for your benefit and theirs.
Call it positive reinforcement via positive reimbursement. UnitedHealth Group (UNH), Progressive (PGR) and Allstate (ALL) are among the companies offering incentives in exchange for certain types of actions and behavior.
"You're getting at the heart of insurance business models, which is risk prediction," said Richard Hutchinson, Progressive's general manager for usage-based insurance.
The idea is that safer or healthier people cost less money, and insurers are choosing to reward good behavior rather than punish bad behavior.
Under UnitedHealth's Personal Rewards program, people with chronic conditions can get discounts on premiums or cash for fulfilling tasks on a personalized health road map.
By getting certain tests and screenings, meeting regularly with doctors, and agreeing to "wellness" coaching, policy holders rack up points that can translate to savings of up $1,200 a year.
For now, the program focuses on taking certain actions vs. producing actual results, such as losing pounds or lowering blood pressure. That's supposed to set people up for success rather than set them up for discouragement.
"You could easily succeed," said Yasmine Winkler, senior VP of product and innovation at UnitedHealthcare. "We're making it as easy as possible."
Cost Trade-Offs
The policy holder's employer pays for the incentives, betting that employees who execute a healthy game plan will have lower health care costs.
Personal Rewards is available to Hertz Global Holdings (HTZ) and Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) workers as well as UnitedHealth employees.
More than three-quarters of UnitedHealth's participants have earned points, and more than half have received some type of reward. They have also seen an average weight loss of 4.5%.
One worker even discovered he had three blocked arteries and had bypass surgery days later. He credited his Personal Rewards road map, which called for certain screenings, with saving his life.
For most participants, the program saves money, provides something to talk about at the water cooler, and pits spouses against each other in weight-loss contests.
"It's interesting to see what people are motivated by," Winkler said. "It's about coming up with the winning combination."
UnitedHealth is thinking about expanding the types of rewards people can get like gift cards or prizes.
The insurer is also developing mobile apps to incorporate in the program and is working with makers of video game consoles to create health-related games.
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