The RAC calls for speeding fines to be doubled during holiday periods
According to an independent review, DOUBLE-DEMERIT penalties in Western Australia have NOT cut road deaths.
In fact the figures show fatal car crashes have jumped almost 50 per cent on holidays and long weekends since double-demerit points came into force in 2002.
The revelations have sparked calls from the RAC for fines – not just demerit points – to be doubled to send motorists a “sharp message”.
That would mean the fine for not wearing a seat belt would jump from $500 to $1000 and the penalty for exceeding the speed limit by 15km/h would rise from $150 to $300 during double-demerit periods.
A report by independent researcher Synovate showed the average number of fatal crashes during double-demerit times was 0.71 a day in 2008 compared with 0.48 a day in 2002 – an increase of 48 per cent.
The report also showed the average number of crashes causing injury during double-demerit periods had increased by nearly two a day between 2004 and 2008, rising from 15.31 to 17.02.
WA has about 40 double-demerit days each year, including the Easter and Christmas breaks.
RAC spokesman Matt Brown said stiffer penalties should be considered to reinforce the impact of double demerits.
“We think the Government should look at whether financial penalties should be doubled on holiday periods as well, to send an even sharper message to people,” he said.
“These are the most dangerous times on our roads and you have to accept a higher responsibility to act safely during those times.”
Mr Brown said more cars on the road at holiday time had contributed to the increasing toll, but he called for a review of the demerits policy to ensure the scheme was having an impact.
“The double-demerits system has a good awareness level and strong support in the community, but that doesn’t mean the system we introduced all those years ago doesn’t need to evolve,” he said.
Mr Brown also wants double demerits for drivers using mobile phones without a hands-free set. Currently only speeding, drink-driving and seatbelt offences attract double demerits.
Opposition road safety spokeswoman Margaret Quirk agreed stiffer fines and penalties should be considered, but Police Minister Rob Johnson said existing double-demerits legislation was reducing the total number of crashes on WA roads. He said the Government had no plans to double fines.
Office of Road Safety executive director Iain Cameron said the increase in holiday fatalities between 2001and 2008 was significantly lower than fatal crashes in non-holiday periods.
To what extent is excess speed, the most important factor in the increase in collisions at holiday periods? To what extent does the number of collisions correlate simply with the number of extra vehicles? If the major link is simply an increase in the amount of traffic, then why should extra penalties be imposed at busy times?
To the RAC – you think people have got hundred dollar bills lying around in their car ashtray? Sure there are people who deliberately go out and ‘hoon’ around and those people should be sought. BUT, there are people out there who try and do the right things on the roads, and perhaps accidentally push up to 70 in a 60 zone momentarily, or just lose sight of what the limit is on a particular road is. fines dont just act as a deterrent, they can effect other people in that persons life – families are struggling to pay their bills, and the RAC want to put even more pressure on these families by imposing ridiculous monetary fines? I will never be a part of RAC if this is their stance. Case in point – I was approaching my rail station recently, took my belt off and about 1min away from me stopping got pulled over and fined $500 for not wearinig a seatbelt! This has absolutely made it hard for me this year in terms of paying bills, and now the RAC want to make me pay $1000?!! Get real!!! I do the right thing so often on the road, but made one small mistake here. Its a joke and no wonder why so many people have a negative opinion of police when they crack down on those who arent blatantly doing the wrong thing on purpose.
I am currently driving on the double or nothing concession when last week I was stopped for driving a vehicle with out my seat belt on. I have been fined $500.00 and lost four demerit points I did not have, resulting in a driving suspension for six months. When asked why I was not wearing my seat belt I was shocked to relieze I had forgotten to put it on and admitted it, this now means I will be out of a job as I need a drivers licence in order to continue working in my profession. I have let my family down so badly I find it quite difficult to live with myself and this seemingly silly mistack. In short peoples ability to suceed in life today is not nessesary there lack qualification or ability but rather if they have enough points to legaly drive on the roads. The fact that I am without points does not nessesarly make the roads less safe, what it does do is exclude me and my dependents from society, much like criminals are when jailed. I feel depresed and helpless.