NSW Roads Minister Under Fire

26 Jun, 2007 7 Comments

For once, we come to the aid of the NSW Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal, who is under fire for giving one motor enthusiast a chance at a joyride in a 500km/h drag car.

Many in the media have drawn some very irresponsible links & conclusions that drag racing will lead to deaths, pointing out the tragedy which recently occurred in the US after Australian drag racer Troy Warren Critchley skidded out of control during a burnout.

One labor supported paid $4500 for the ride in the drag car and “drinks” with Mr Roozendaal. Unfortunately though, there are always misinformed citizens who can criticize nearly everything which is above 60km/hr. Pedestrian Council president Harold Scuby has labeled the Minister’s actions as “appalling“.

“It’s hoon behaviour and sends every wrong message to all the P-plate drivers.” Mr Scuby said.

Drag racing has now officially been labeled as hoon behaviour, what is next? Fast cars cause erectile dysfunction? Although we agree on some points with the Pedestrian council (e.g. large 4WDs banned from CBDs), on this occasion, we have, for once, sided with the NSW road minister.

We were glad to hear that Mr Roozendaal’s is apparently a drag racing fan, which although he has shown very little of, might mean he has a place in his heart for car enthusiasts. NSW Opposition Road Safety spokesman Andrew Fraser also jumped on the bandwagon and criticized Mr Roozendaal, calling him irresponsible.

“Eric Roozendaal is charged with responsibility to cut the road toll, reduce P-plate speeding and encouraging young drivers to obey the road rules. He should be focusing on ensuring our young drivers don’t do this on the streets of NSW, not being part of a promotion for it.” Mr Fraser said.

The comments come as a kick in the face for NSW car enthusiasts struggling to convince politicians and the community that driver training and better roads as oppose to harsher penalties and lower speed limits are the keys to reducing the road toll.

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7 Responses to “NSW Roads Minister Under Fire”

troy Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Scrubby should not be allowed to own a car at all.

if he does, it should have BUMPER BAR airbags.

I just bet he owns something as dull as a camry. I can immagine the hat in the back window, as it cruises at 40 in a 60 zone, annoying the hell out of other motorists. CAUSING them to speed by in frustration!

I was almost killed TWICE today on our roads here in Townsville…. BOTH times was by middle aged women talking on mobile phones. ONE went straight through a red light ( whilst the other side was green ) and never even noticed!!!

BAN MIDDLE AGED WOMEN FROM DRIVING sounds like the kind of plan the government should come up with to me, no p platers have endangered me lately, oh and im 34.

disclaimer… that was a pisstake!
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Lee Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
What a load of rubbish!!
Saying that auctioning off a run in a drag car will lead to dangerous driving is like saying watching cricket will make kids throw rocks and bricks from a bridge at passing cars…..
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alborz Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
he drives a subaru outback troy.
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tony Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
Someone out there might be able to confirm this rumour. But I have heard that Harold Scruby either hit and killed, or hit and injured, a pedestrian years ago which lead him to his current vocation of anti car spokesman. I have also heard that he has a BMW in his garage (apart from the Outback - why would he need a car that large around Mosman)?
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steve Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
Have you seen the driving skills around Mosman? Hence the large car… larger is safer, right?

That was sarcasm (it never translates well over the net).

Steve
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Paul Says:
June 26th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
QUOTE = Fast cars cause erectile dysfunction?

Funny that because a new RTA advert is coming out about reckless driving… where it has drivers doing stupid things like fishtailing and then people watching putting up their pinky fingers, implying you know what. So fast cars dont cause erectile dysfunction, but according to authorities, the old myth that you have a small penis is correct!

And for the record, the advert for me was ineffective.
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steve Says:
June 27th, 2007 at 6:59 am
This is good news….

Think of how much you could get away with by driving a slow car instead. You won’t have that “hoon” badge placed on your head. And your insurance will be cheap.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooBJ2Z2sZvo

This is classic backwards thinking… and I love it.

Steve
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