VMC Calls For Removal Of Mandatory High Viz For Learner Riders

The VMC has called for the removal of mandatory high visibility clothing for learner riders in its submission to a review of the Victorian Road Safety (Driver) Regulations.

The VMC has detailed a case that there is no proven road safety benefit for riders that wear high visibility vests. "There was no justifiable case when the requirement was introduced in 2014 and that still remains the case as of today", said Rob Salvatore, VMC Deputy Chair.

It also found that the Department of Transport spectacularly failed to make a case for the mandatory wearing of high visibility vests by referencing three studies in support of Regulation 57 that were either out of date, dismissed as flawed or completely irrelevant.

The submission also detailed that since high visibility vests interfere with air flow, the wearing of a properly fastened vest (a requirement of Regulation 57) can increase rider risk due to increased heat load and accelerated fatigue on sunny days.

Since there is no evidence based rationale for forcing learner riders to wear high visibility vests and since the wearing of such vests can increase fatigue related risks to the rider, the regulation must be removed.

The VMC also rejected the proposed increase in sanctions for the "Fail to display L-Plate" offence given that it may result in a rider losing their license which would serve no genuine road safety purpose. There is no road safety risk or road user behaviour targeted by the sanction, therefore no genuine road safety objective served.

The main submission can be found at the "more information" link below, or from the the web page listing our various "Submissions".

Or the full submission with appendices can be found at the "Submission and Appendices" link below.

For more information, contact the Victorian Motorcycle Council.

 

Website: Submission and appendices
For more information download this document