Queensland Shadow Minister for Transport, Main Roads and Road Safety Fiona Simpson

Queensland Highways A ‘National Disgrace’

Victor P Taffa

Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) figures have confirmed that National Highways through Queensland were a ‘National Disgrace’ and needed urgent and major upgrades, the State Opposition said today.

Shadow Minister for Transport, Main Roads and Road Safety Fiona Simpson said the RACQ figures confirmed the poor condition of the Bruce and Warrego Highway was the leading reason for high crash rates.

Ms. Simpson said while the Bligh State focussed on its ‘Speed Kills’ Campaign it seemed to be doing nothing to secure funding for Highway Upgrades.

“PR campaigns are fine, but Road conditions are also a major factor in crashes and road deaths as confirmed by the RACQ.” Ms. Simpson said.

“Getting simple messages out to motorists is important, but so too is having a Minister and a State Government prepared to fight for more funding …and that’s where Queenslanders are missing out.”

Ms. Simpson said the RACQ Australian Road Assessment Program report could not be ignored.

“The Bligh Government can’t ignore that National Highways in Queensland pose a higher crash risk to motorists than in any other State, with nearly 90 % of the network rated as high or medium high risk …in New South Wales its 6 % Victoria 12 % and South Australia 30 %.”

“Anyone who regularly travels our highways knows just how bad they are and would certainly agree with the RACQ’s findings that 16 sections of Queensland’s major roads, including 11 on the Bruce Highway, and five on the Warrego need major improvements.” Ms. Simpson said.

The New South Wales Labor Government regularly spins the line that Road Fatalities and Poor Roads have no link. The Pacific Highway is nothing more than a glorified killing field and as the Pacific Highway runs through National Party heartland the Labor Government for the last 16 years has refused to fund an upgrade of the Pacific Highway.

The very same New South Wales Labor Government also opposes Railway Expansion and has incarcerated Editor Victor P Taffa in a Psychiatric Hospital for supporting Railway Expansion. The Baillieu/Ryan Victoria Liberal Government supports High-Speed Rail between Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane. Any further High-Speed Railways will only occur after this Project actually has Trains operating.

Western Australia Minister for Police and Road Safety Rob Johnson

New campaign targets WA’s distracted drivers

Victor P Taffa

Western Australia Minister for Police and Road Safety Rob Johnson has launched a new campaign targeting driver distraction, which plays a part in nearly one-third of all road crash deaths and serious injuries on Western Australian roads.

Mr. Johnson said the $900,000 campaign would use television, radio and outdoor media to alert motorists to the dangers of driver distraction.

“The campaign uses different distracting scenarios that drivers routinely engage in and shows the potentially devastating consequences that all too frequently happen on our roads.” the Minister said.

“World road safety experts regard driver distraction as a significant contributing factor to road trauma alongside speeding, drink driving and fatigue.”

“Recent research by the Monash University Accident Research Centre revealed that distraction plays a role in 32 % of all WA road crash deaths and serious injuries.” Mr. Johnson said.

“Driving a motor vehicle is a complex task requiring a considerable degree of concentration and attention from the driver.  It is alarming that so many motorists are increasingly dividing their concentration between driving and non-driving tasks.”

“Common distractions while behind the wheel include reading a street directory; entering an address into a GPS unit; changing a CD or a song on an MP3 player; eating; having an unrestrained pet; activity from passengers in the vehicle; and of course – the most frequent contributor of distraction – using a mobile phone.”

The Minister said a 2009 survey of West Australians showed that mobile phone use was considered by the community to be the single biggest distraction in a vehicle.

The survey showed that 90 % of people regarded text messaging as a major distraction, while 82 % said making or receiving phone calls was also a danger for motorists.

“You are four times more likely to be involved in a crash when using a mobile phone while driving and sending a text message is even more distracting.” Mr Johnson said.

“The best advice for drivers is to turn off your mobile phone or put it on silent when driving to avoid being distracted.”

“If you must take a call while driving, pull over into a safe, designated, legal parking space before using your phone, not only for your own safety, but for the safety of other innocent road users.” Mr. Johnson said.

Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is illegal behaviour in WA and attracts a $250 fine and three demerit points.

Independent chair of the Road Safety Council, D’Arcy Holman, said while some level of distraction when driving a motor vehicle was unavoidable, there were a number of simple things drivers could do to manage and reduce the level of distractions.

“Planning ahead is a great way to minimise driver distraction.  If you are unfamiliar with a route, check the map before you go or have a passenger navigate; ensure your pet is restrained properly using a secured carrier box or pet seat belt system; adjust the mirrors and CD/MP3/radio before setting off;  and take a break rather than eat, drink, smoke or groom yourself while driving.” Professor Holman said.

“Recognise what makes you distracted and either avoids engaging in that activity when driving, or find a safe, legal place to pull over and do it, for the safety of everyone on our roads.”

For more information on the Driver Distraction campaign, visit the Office of Road Safety website http://www.ors.wa.gov.au or phone 138138.   Free mobile phone ringtones are available to download from the website reminding motorists not to answer their phone while driving.

Tasmania Deputy Opposition Leader Jeremy Rockliff

LIBERALS’ REAL CHANGE FOR ROAD SAFETY 

Victor P Taffa

A majority Hodgman Liberal Government will get tough on hoons who break the law.

News that a P-plate driver was caught driving at excessive speed shows that we need a majority Hodgman Liberal Government to deliver real change on road safety.

Under a majority Hodgman Liberal Government, P-Plate drivers who are caught speeding more than 15 km/h over the limit will be required to participate in a compulsory day of driver education, in addition to the penalties already in place.

We will also require ALL drivers who lose their licence, for whatever reason, to undertake a short course which relates to driver behaviour.

This compulsory education will take place at the driver’s expense and we also crack down on repeat dangerous drivers.

Last year 2,000 Tasmanians were caught behind the wheel after a court had already banned them for dangerous driving. We will move to impound cars of these offenders after the first offence (currently it is the second).

For dangerous drivers caught on the third offence, we will give the courts the power to permanently confiscate the vehicle, and in extreme circumstances, order it to be crushed.

A majority Hodgman Liberal Government will also move to make driver education compulsory in schools for all grade 9 and 10 students. This is in addition to our existing policy of requiring a student who wants a driver’s licence before the age of 18 having to complete driver education and have a satisfactory school attendance record.

Under our comprehensive roads safety policy we will provide the real change Tasmanian drivers need by:

• Quarantining speed camera revenue for road safety measures;

• Investing $6 Million over three years on road-markings including:

• Installation of audio-tactile line marking on Bass Highway between Launceston and Devonport and other high volume roads and black-spots;

• Establishing a dedicated Road Safety Authority;

• Double demerit points on specific days;

• More permanent speed cameras;

• More high visibility Police cars on our highways.

Only a majority Hodgman Liberal Government will deliver the real change needed to crack down on hoons and make our roads safer.

Responsibility for Election Comment

Under the provisions of the relevant Electoral Act responsibility for all election comment is assumed by Editor Victor P Taffa. The Registered office of The Southern Thunderer is at 4/69a Darvall Road, West Ryde NSW 2114.

If you plan to drink, plan not to drive.

Western Australia Minister for Police and Road Safety Rob Johnson

More than 16,000 WA drivers tested during drink-driving blitz

Victor P Taffa

The State Government’s massive blitz against drink-drivers during the Christmas and New Year holiday period enabled WA Police to breath test an extra 16,073 drivers across the State.

Western Australia Minister for Police and Road Safety Rob Johnson said the scale of the ‘ANYWHERE, ANYTIME’ campaign, from December 7, 2009 to January 17, 2010, had never been seen before on Western Australian roads.

Mr Johnson said the Government had provided $400,000 to fund up to an additional 5,500 policing hours to crack down on drink-driving and other offences on the smallest suburban back streets and the quietest regional roads.

“The main aim of this operation was to reinforce the ‘ANYWHERE, ANYTIME’ message to motorists who had too much to drink and thought they could take the back streets to avoid detection,” he said.

“The aim was clearly achieved, with Police breath testing an extra 16,000 drivers over and above their usual Christmas road campaign.

“Targeted areas included back streets, laneways, licensed premises and liquor outlets located away from major roads and highways.

“Anyone who drinks and drives is making a potentially deadly mistake as they not only risk killing themselves, but also their passengers and other innocent road users.

“The message is simple – if you plan to drink, plan not to drive.”

From the 16,073 drivers who were breath tested, there were 337 charges for drink- driving related offences:

• 41 – driving under the influence
• 126 – excess 0.08
• 135 – excess 0.05
• 26 – excess 0.02
• 5 – novice 0.0019
• 2 – fail to comply
• 2 – drugs.

During the targeted blitz, Police also charged:

•  240 drivers for speeding,
• 52 people for not wearing a seatbelt,
• 35 for using their mobile phone.

The Police operation was supported by a $500,000 media campaign across the State to support the road safety message throughout the festive season.