I'm sure many of us both in NSW and Australia in general are fed up with being given a hard time or made criminals for what used to be basic rights and privileges for automotive enthusiasts. There is no end of new legislation aimed to raise revenue for minor speed infringements, along with attempting to demonise drivers for what they call "hoon" behaviours under harsh new authoritarian laws. All this regardless of the fact they could previously handle any serious matters under careless and dangerous driving clauses.
Impound laws are also now being widely used even for minor offences, with the government proceeding to wheel clamp, lock up or even force the forfeiture of individuals private vehicles without the owners permission, something which would be considered theft and criminal damage if not enacted by legislation.
Speed limits instead of being raised and roads constantly assessed to cope with rising traffic demand, are being slowed down and forgotten. Adding to this, more speed cameras continue to appear each day, waiting to instantly take a happy snap which they then use to take money straight out of your back pocket, with those who don't pay being assured a court appearance. It all seems very extreme and out of touch when compared to the reality of these situations.
Modified vehicle owners are also looked upon as though they are members of a criminal organisation, with no end of constant random checks being held by police officers, going over cars with a fine tooth comb desperately looking for anything they can claim towards the car being un-roadworthy. All this while standard older cars are left to continue on, blowing smoke with bald tyres and panel damage, completely unnoticed due to the lack of immaculate paint and expensive wheels. It appears the more you look after and respect your car the more of a criminal you are in the eyes of the law.
So what can car enthusiasts do about this? well there is a way to fight these laws and it starts at the polling booths for the NSW State Election, due to be held on Saturday the 26th of March 2011. The Outdoor Recreation Party was founded out of the NSW 4WD movement over a decade ago, their focus has since expanded to include many policies for car enthusiasts, such as raised speed limits based on the 85th percentile rule widely used overseas, ending the harassment of young drivers, abolishing "hoon" laws, creating traffic laws that focus on safety to others instead of simply raising revenue, allowing the legal use of personal radar detectors to avoid random speed traps and encouragement of the public to compete in amateur motor sports.
The Outdoor Recreation Party believes car enthusiasts are entitled to a fair go and require your help on voting day to ensure they have the best chance to be elected to positions of influence in the NSW Government.
You can still vote for the Liberal Party, Labor or whomever you wish in the Legislative Assembly (Lower House), which will ultimately decide the Government, while also placing an important vote in the Legislative Council (Upper House) for the Outdoor Recreation Party.
The Upper House is where the ORP has the highest opportunity of being elected and is also where they are able to undertake the greatest influence.
For more details please visit the Outdoor Recreation Party website, and also the Liberal Democratic Party (their Federal counterpart) and remember to Vote 1 for the ORP in the Upper House on election day.
