NO EXCUSES LEFT FOR STALLING DOUBLE DEMERIT TRIAL

The Tasmanian Greens today tabled in the Parliament further terms details of their proposal to trial a double demerit scheme on Tasmanian roads during public holidays and in school safety zones.

Greens Infrastructure spokesperson Tim Morris MP, whose motion outlined a broad terms of reference for the proposed two year trial, said it would recognise the growing community concern over the need to tackle dangerous driving on our roads, and should:

a) Be in place from the 1st of December this year and be conducted over a two year period;
b) Be evaluated at the conclusion of its two year period by an independent and appropriate consultant;
c) Apply to all public holidays during this two year period; and
d) Also apply to all Tasmanian school zones, additional to public holidays, for the full two year tial period.

“The Minister claims that there’s no evidence that a double demerit scheme would achieve the intended result of reducing road deaths, but this only strengthens the case for trialling the measure in Tasmania.”

“A double demerit trial would cost almost nothing to implement, and the evidence does suggest that it could be an effective public awareness tool for reducing the road toll.”

“A Western Australian study conducted in 2009 into the utilisation of a double-demerit scheme found that, compared to pre-trial results, the scheme was effective in reducing crashes during the defined period.”

“The recent series of terrible vehicle tragedies involving schoolchildren in Tasmania is all the proof we need for stronger measures to improve road safety measures around schools,” Mr Morris said.
Tim Morris MP Greens Infrastructure Spokesperson