Big increases in speeding
fines unwarranted hit on motorists
From The West Australian
By Unknown
May 08, 2006
Responsible motorists have good reason
to be outraged at the State Government’s decision to double
and treble speeding fines in the name of improving road safety.
No one could quarrel with the objective of making
our roads safer for all who use them.
But it is questionable whether road safety is increased
by imposing draconian penalties on careful drivers who exceed arbitrary
speed limits by a few kilometres an hour.
With the random and often irrational placement of
road signs indicated speed limits, it is often a challenge for drivers
to discover what limit applies to the stretch of road on which they
are travelling.
What is the rationale for increasing the fine from
$50 to $75 for driving safely in the flow of traffic at 78kmh in a
70kmh zone which only recently had its limit dropped from 80kmh?
The excessive increase in speeding fines is likely
to exacerbate the anger felt by many motorists at Multanovas hidden
on level roads in places calculated to trap the maximum number of
drivers.
From the steady flow of public criticism it is clear
that many motorists are sceptical at government claims that speed
traps are aimed at reducing speeds and not at raising revenue.
If Community Safety Minister John D’Orazio was
serious about using Multanovas to increase road safety he would insist
that they were places at dangerous black spot areas, clearly sign-posted
to slow the traffic down.
Raising fines from $350 to $1000 for offenders who
exceed the speed limit by 40kmh may be intended to catch irresponsible
drivers who race at 1210kmh on suburban streets – but only too
often such drivers are young people with few assets who have no hope
of paying such heavy fines.
Enforcing these high penalties could be difficult,
even impossible.
Even responsible motorists could be hit by $1000 fines
if they fail to notice the increasing number of 40kmh signs which
litter the kerbside where roads are being upgraded or repaired.
With so much roadwork taking place, particularly between
Perth and Mandurah, it is often hard to keep up with the changing
speed limits. When a 100kmh road changes repeatedly to 40kmh or 60kmh,
and there is not a workman in sight, drivers can easily get to 40kmh
over the limit without realising it.
With such high penalties at stake the traffic authorities
should make it a priority to ensure that temporary 40kmh signs are
removed when workmen are not actively engaged at a site.
Rather than alienating the great majority of responsible
drivers with hidden Multanovas and heavy fines, Mr D’Orazio
would be better advised if he analysed the cause of most traffic accidents
and took appropriate action.
There is a good case of raising the level of driving
skills required for getting a licence, or having a second, more rigorous
test to advance from probationary status to a full driving licence.
Increasing the number of demerit points for traffic
infringements is an effective means of improving road safety by keeping
erring drivers off the roads without the need for huge fines.
Truck drivers in particular
will be heavily peanlised by the latest measures. At a time when soaring
fuel costs make it a struggle for many to survive it is relevant to
ask if fines of up to $1250 are justified or necessary.
