Operation Door Knock - campaign against car dooring

It would seem that there will be a campaign to raise awareness of car dooring with drivers in Victoria in 2012 http://www.bv.com.au/general/bikes-and-riding/93916/.  It would be great if a similar campaign could be run in SA.

Being car doored is one of the hazards which concerns me most on the roads as there often no time to react if someone flings a car door in front of you at the last minute.  Of course I try to take the appropriate precautions to avoid being in a door zone in the first place, but sometime where space is tight or the door is large, one can still get caught out.

Tags: car, door, hazards, safey

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Permalink Reply by Tim on May 15, 2012 at 14:35

There already is a law and a fine. The problem is that the law is not enforced and the fine hardly ever imposed. If it is not a summary offence maybe it should be so the police do not use their discretion so often. I imagine that there is a reason why its not enforced - maybe the police feel that it is difficult to obtain a conviction if challenged.

I personally do not like the idea of bigger fines for everything. Demerit points yes.

If enough drivers were fined $155 for causing obstructions in bicycle lanes with their doors, or fined $155 after striking a cyclist (or anyone) with a door then I think that would make people more aware and result in change.

In Paul Jorgensen's incident, the police had a golden opportunity to make sure that drivers were aware that opening car doors and causing a hazard was illegal and the driver would be penalised, but for some reason they chose not to penalise the driver, so now everyone in Adelaide knows that opening a car door and injuring someone will not result in any penalty - in my book this was a huge road safety failure.

Permalink Reply by heather on May 15, 2012 at 14:56

Tim, hip pocket education works. It needs to be a larger fine so that the driver repeats the story to friends, who learn through the mistake of that driver.

Permalink Reply by rossmg on May 15, 2012 at 15:57

So called hip pocket education is only as effective as the relative pain of that fine - a $20K fine to a multimillionaire is less than that to the average income earner. Demerit points in comparison are a more level playing field when metering out penalty.

Permalink Reply by heather on May 15, 2012 at 16:04

rossmg, more average people than multi-millionaires, so a $1,000 fine would remind the average person. Why not fines AND demerit points, which I understand happens with some offences.

Last I knew there was a prob with demerit points. Friend complained about a flatmate who reached the max demerit points, back onto P plates, then his slate wiped clean rather than a gradual reduction in demerit points over time. The errant person drove for a living!

Permalink Reply by heather on May 15, 2012 at 14:33

Phil, would this be of any help to you?

Police Complaints Authority

50 Grenfell Street, Adelaide SA 5000
GPO Box 464, Adelaide SA 5001
Phone (08) 8226 8677

Permalink Reply by Phil Crick on May 15, 2012 at 17:25

Not to me as it's not me that was involved in the accident, but Paul may want it if he wants to take things further. Judging by the number of clowns I come across coming to work, it's only a matter of time before one of them knocks me off - the video camera is going back on the bike from tomorrow.

Permalink Reply by heather on May 15, 2012 at 14:53

Prospect BUG News Nov-2011
3.3 Police bosses fail on dooring death
Posted on the Bicycle Victoria website on Thursday 10-Nov-2011.
http://www.bv.com.au/general/bikes-and-riding/10218/
A driver responsible for the 'dooring' death of a bike rider was not charged by police after senior officers blocked any prosecution.

Prospect BUG News Nov-2011
3.4 Finding into death with inquest (when cyclist died after dooring)
In the Coroners Court of Victoria at Melbourne, Court Reference 1041/10
http://www.coronerscourt.vic.gov.au/resources/3/6/36f3f70049020dfcb...

Prospect BUG News Dec-2011
3.1 NZ cracks down on 'dooring'
From Bicycle Victoria on Wednesday 23-Mar-2011.
http://www.bv.com.au/general/join-in/42075/
A driver who opened a car door causing a rider to move into the path of a truck faces serious criminal charges over her death.

Permalink Reply by Tim on May 16, 2012 at 17:59

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