Pay or learn choice proves success with Nelson scooter riders

That's the approach behind Operation Roadsafe, an initiative adopted last July by the Tasman Strategic Traffic Unit (STU) with the support from ACC and local councils.

Riders of scooters and small motorbikes are given a choice when stopped for poor driving around Nelson: pay a fine or learn better skills.

“We thought, how can we give road-users a life-changing event without someone dying or losing a loved one?” says Sergeant John Maxwell, who heads the (STU).

Staff make a point of stopping scooter-riders for even minor offences, such as riding without their headlight on. Offenders are given a choice: either pay $20 to attend a motorbike safety course or cough up much more for a ticket.

Nearly all riders choose the course, which is four hours long and heavily subsidised by ACC and the local councils.

The course includes practical skills around scooter maintenance, safety gear, hazard awareness and safe riding skills such as braking, posture and cornering. Feedback from participants is unwaveringly positive, with people frequently saying they were surprised by how much they learnt.

Since the scheme was implemented, ACC statistics show a 40 percent reduction in motorcycle crashes in Nelson. “As much as I’d like to take the kudos, I know there’s been a lot of great work across Police which has had a positive impact on road safety,” says Sergeant Maxwell. However, he’s quietly confident Operation Roadsafe has contributed to the impressive reduction.