Image

News

#Responsible4wder

Last week we launched our new lobbying and advocacy campaign, #responsible4WDer. The notion of encouraging and promoting responsible four wheel driving has been one that I’ve been passionate about over the years. This passion is …

Image
Club 4X4 Insurance
May 08 2019

May 08 2019

Image

Last week we launched our new lobbying and advocacy campaign, #responsible4WDer.

The notion of encouraging and promoting responsible four wheel driving has been one that I’ve been passionate about over the years. This passion is driven off the back of a need to support our hobby and passion with the reach Club 4X4 now enjoys, but also utilising the credibility that seems to be automatically bestowed on a business in the financial service sector, whether that be right or wrong. Our business is to make a promise, then actually dive in to support people at their time of need. We do that every single day at a singular customer level; repairing windscreens, replacing cars, repairing damaged bars and paying recovery bills. I am proud of what we do, and we do it well, every single day.

But I am also a realist to the core; and as I watched another video of a Triton tearing up a farmers paddock earlier this week, it cemented my desire to have our team and brand work with the rest of the industry and community to find a way to combat the profile that this activity and exposure tars us with. I’m not saying I’m one who doesn’t like circle-work – but not on someone else’s and certainly not on public property; there is a time and a place for everything.

I’m confident that the intent with that video I mentioned earlier, was to “name and shame”. I think as a community we do a great job of this – and I did note that it was also sent to the local police who hopefully acted on it whole-heartedly. But I wonder if it really helped? I think anyone who took the time to read the comments will see that everyone who took the time out was there to note their displeasure, not support of the activity. But is that what the people who are opposed to giving us access to land do? Or do they just share the video?

Someone much wiser than me once said that “the best defence is a good offence”. I think that the various bodies involved in our industry currently do a fantastic job of lobbying and working with governments to bring to the fore the size and importance of the 4WD industry. The people who form part of such organisations usually do it as volunteers with day jobs, but they do it for the love of the community and passion.

What if we could arm these volunteers for their interactions with those who make decisions on track closures, erection of gates and imposition of laws that restrict our way of life? How can we help them to demonstrate the size and nature of four wheel drivers and what we actually do? I know how much time I spend each day flicking through social media in my downtime – I’m sure most people reading this are the same. How about if we started to post, or share recognition of people doing the right thing in the 4WD world? In a world where a viral post can make or break someone, why don’t we focus on ways to create a groundswell for the positive?

Imagine we had 500,000 people watching and contributing to a hashtag. Imagine we had hundreds of posts everyday with the hashtag from enthusiasts who are out doing the right thing. Pictures of rubbish packed in a bag, a pristine campsite before and after, responsible clearing of a tree across a track, a responsible recovery, your local club giving back to the community somehow? The opportunities to create a positive post with the hashtag are endless. If you were to present evidence of responsible four wheel drive activities to a MP who has the power to keep tracks open – what would you show them? You can do so by posting with the hashtag.

What typifies successful communities is a common goal that drives everyone – #responsible4WDer is bigger than all of us, but gives us an opportunity to try to bring together and give more exposure to the positive actions each of us undertake every day.

We will do our bit to find opportunities to share positive activities. If you post one yourself or see one, tag us in it and we will schedule it across our channels too.

Let’s get on a front foot folks. One post a week from everyone reading this can make a massive difference!

Remember, #responsible4WDer

Happy Touring,

Kalen

Image
Club 4X4 Insurance
Blog

Discover other stories

View all

Warm up with weekly articles aimed at adventure

4x4 and caravan camping by a lake at sunset

Expert Advice

What Tyres Does Your Caravan REALLY Need

There’s no shortage of opinions on what tyres your caravan should be running. You’ve probably heard everything from “just match your tow rig” to “it doesn’t matter, they’re not even driven wheels.” Like most things in the touring world, the truth sits somewhere between bush logic and engineer-speak.

Read more  

There’s no shortage of opinions on what tyres your caravan should be running. You’ve probably heard everything from “just match your tow rig” to “it doesn’t matter, they’re not even driven wheels.” Like most things in the touring world, the truth sits somewhere between bush logic and engineer-speak.

4x4 driving through sand dune

Expert Advice

The Unspoken Rules of 4WD Tracks

If you’re new to 4WDing or you need a little reminder on what’s okay and what behaviours should be left home, I’ve created this cheat sheet to guide you on the tracks.

Read more  

If you’re new to 4WDing or you need a little reminder on what’s okay and what behaviours should be left home, I’ve created this cheat sheet to guide you on the tracks.

4x4 with a caravan on sand with shrubs behind

Expert Advice

How to MAXIMISE your Fuel Economy while Towing

You’re never going to get Prius-level efficiency towing a three-tonne van into a headwind, but you can absolutely stop throwing away diesel by the litre.

Read more  

You’re never going to get Prius-level efficiency towing a three-tonne van into a headwind, but you can absolutely stop throwing away diesel by the litre.

View all