Queensland Parliament passes new blueprint for road safety

Legislation passed in State Parliament tonight would usher in a road safety revolution, Minister for Transport and Main Roads Paul Lucas said.

Mr Lucas said the Transport Legislation and Another Act Amendment Bill 2006 was dominated by new training and licensing requirements for young drivers, road-side drug testing and fixed speed cameras.

“This legislation is about the State Government doing what it can to boost safety on our roads,” Mr Lucas said.

“Almost half the Members of Parliament spoke on this bill and I welcome the bipartisan support for the legislation.”

Mr Lucas said the measures included a new graduated licensing system to be introduced from 1 July this year for young drivers.

“Young drivers die on our roads around two-and-a-half times more than other drivers,” Mr Lucas said.

“This legislation delivers the State Government’s blueprint for improving young driver safety and saving lives on our roads.”

The new young driver measures will:

• introduce mandatory 100 hours practice prior to going for a licence;
• restrict the number of passengers under the age of 21 they can carry late at night;
• prohibit young drivers from driving high-powered vehicles for the full three years of their provisional licence; and
• crack down further on mobile phone usage by young drivers.

“In addition, we’ll also be reintroducing P plates, through a two-tiered system.”

“I realise that some of these measures won’t be popular with young drivers. But we’re not trying to win a popularity contest, we’re trying to save lives.”

Mr Lucas said the legislation also included measures for introducing random roadside drug testing.

“The use of drugs while driving significantly affects the skills and functions required to drive safely,” Mr Lucas said.

“People using drugs then driving are becoming increasingly involved in serious road crashes. In 2004 alcohol and/or drug use was identified as a factor in 104 road deaths, or nearly 35% of the road toll.

“This legislation introduces a random drug testing scheme in Queensland, allowing police to stop vehicles and conduct a drug test for the drivers of vehicles using saliva analysis.”

Random roadside drug testing will not interfere with the Random Breath Testing program to detect drink-drivers. Queensland Transport is currently working with police to develop a regime for random roadside drug testing.

Mr Lucas said the legislation also supported the introduction of fixed speed cameras on Queensland roads, in line with similar technology in use in Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania.

Fixed cameras are usually installed at dangerous locations where it is difficult or hazardous for police to enforce speed limits by using hand-held speed detection devices or mobile speed cameras.

Mr Lucas said the new measures were the next step in the State Government’s battle to reduce the road toll.

“Last year we introduced a number of new measures including double demerit point penalties for repeat speedsters and immediate licence suspensions for serial and high-end drink drivers,” Mr Lucas said.

“And last week, we announced increased penalties designed to deter people from the silly and dangerous behaviour that puts lives at risk.”

Mr Lucas stressed however that while the government had a major role to play, individual drivers, passengers and in-particular parents of young drivers, could make a huge difference to road safety.

“Road safety also comes down to the individual choices drivers make every time they get in their car.

“I urge Queenslanders – drivers and passengers alike – to take care and drive responsibly on our roads.”

Media inquiries: Robert Hoge: 3237 1942, 0419 757 868