Friday, 9 October 2009
Victorians will face higher fines if caught breaching traffic laws under a review of a raft of traffic infringement and court fines, effective November 2009.
Antonietta Cavallo – Acting Director, Road User Safety, VicRoads - said today that the focus of the penalties review was on extremely serious traffic offences. These fines have been increased to reflect the very real danger committing the offence posed to drivers, passengers, pedestrians and other road users.
"The penalties have been updated to reflect the seriousness of committing extremely dangerous traffic offences such as speeding at more than 30 kilometres per hour over the speed limit or drink driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of more than .10. Fines for not wearing a seatbelt or driving with a mobile phone in the driver’s hand were increased in May," said Ms Cavallo.
"In 2008, Victoria recorded its lowest road toll since records began with 303 fatalities and has recorded its lowest six road tolls in the past six years – but there is still more that can be done to reduce the road toll.
"The increased penalties target extremely dangerous behaviour which are known contributors to fatalities on Victoria’s roads.
"Speeding directly contributes to at least 30 per cent of deaths on Victoria’s roads each year. Penalties will now better reflect the seriousness of high level speeding offences.
"Drivers caught speeding at 30-35 kilometres per hour over the speed limit will face fines of approximately $380. This fine is $70 more than the current fine. Speeding more than 30 kilometres over the speed limit also attracts up to eight demerit points. Additionally, if a driver is speeding 45 kilometres per hour or more over the speed limit the courts will have the power to impose fines of up to $2,336 or up to $3,504 for heavy vehicle drivers.
"Research shows that drivers with a BAC of 0.10 have a five times greater risk of being killed or killing others than a driver with no alcohol in their system. Drivers caught with a BAC of .10 will face immediate licence suspension in addition to a fine of more than $526, with the potential for the courts to impose a penalty of up to $2,336 – this is about double the previous maximum court penalty.
"Too many motorists still think they can have a mobile phone in their hand and be texting or emailing while trying to drive in traffic. Drivers already risk an on-the-spot fine of more than $230. The same penalty applies for all drivers and passengers over 16 years who are in a moving vehicle and not wearing a seatbelt. However, from November, drivers can also be fined $234 if they have passengers aged over 16 who are not wearing seat belts. This rule already applies to carrying children under 16 years.
"These tougher penalties are aimed at drivers who continue to flout the road rules at great risk to themselves and others.
"We know penalties play an important role in discouraging dangerous behaviour on the roads. In addition to increased financial penalties, demerit points for some of the new road rules which will take effect in November 2009 will be introduced.
Ms Cavallo said talking on a hand-held mobile while driving was reckless and increased the risk of an accident fourfold. Not wearing a seatbelt is also a factor in more than 30 per cent of all driver and passenger fatalities.
Penalties for other safety offences, such as not wearing a helmet while riding a motorbike or bicycle, failing to obey traffic lights or passing a stationary tram have also been increased.
The introduction of the new penalties and increased loss of demerit points forms part of the Government’s road safety strategy arrive alive 2008 – 2017, which aims to reduce the road toll by a further 30 per cent.