SAFETY
it sees, from a rental industry perspective, is
where the driver is at fault and surprisingly, it’s
not predominantly the international tourists
either.
"Driver fault is the vast majority and that's the
primary place to focus. Statistically international
drivers can be safer than domestic, they have
less accidents, but they tend to have high media
attention."
He says road authorities, police, and the
government should be doing random checks
and managing weigh bridges.
"That would be welcomed by us and people
should know there are consequences ...
manufacturers should potentially have a licence
too that's checked in quality standards, and
industry in general would be open to some self-
assessment and some endorsement that it can
deliver accordingly."
Di Vincenzo at New Age agrees manufacturers
should have weigh bridges.
"Every van should be weighed ... it provides a
level of comfort to the manufacturer and we cantrack our own product and ensure it falls in line
with what customer requires."
"I’m a firm believer education needs to
happen at the point of sale to end of delivery,
there are instances where information is
misconstrued from point of purchase to using
it, and it needs to be a consistent message
about what is safe towing, how should you load
a van, what are GTMs and so people know the
limitations ... "
CMCA’s Richard Barwick says the bottom line
is, consumers need better education.
“We are fortunate enough to share the road,
not own it. The majority of RV consumers travel
in a safe and respectful manner, however in
society, we have that minor element that shows
no respect. It’s more about getting to their
destination in the quickest fashion, not the
safest.
“Education is one of the major steps we
need to take. It is a difficult task to ensure road
behaviour is the first and foremost at the top
of the list, but this can be done through drivertraining, media and promotions targeting certain
key groups and sectors of the market.”
Australian Caravan Club chairman Craig
Humphrey agrees, and says an education
programme should be the responsibility of the
government.
"People don’t know what they don’t know
and GVM and AGM and TARE and axel loadings
are issues in themselves because you need to
understand that around your vehicle and what
you tow.
"So there’s a place for a broad based
education programme and that responsibility
lies clearly with the public understanding the
weights are an issue, and the impact that has
with stopping distance, and the government
needs to ensure there is a campaign
understanding that."
He says the issue is one of cultural change.
"Much like the slip slop slap campaign, I would
call on all parts of industry, that’s the approach
they need to take.”CTA"MANUFACTURERS SHOULD POTENTIALLY HAVE A LICENCE TOO THAT'S CHECKED IN QUALITY STANDARDS,AND INDUSTRY IN GENERAL WOULD BE OPEN TO SOME SELF-ASSESSMENT."THL'S GRANT WEBSTER