ROAD SAFETY: CALL FOR DOUBLE DEMERIT POINT TRIAL

The Tasmanian Greens today renewed calls for a double demerit point penalty trial on Tasmanian roads, following the publication of worrying new road toll statistics.

Greens Infrastructure spokesperson Tim Morris MP said the Greens’ proposed two-year trial would apply to all public holidays, and include a strong focus on school safety zones.

“The spike in Tasmania’s road toll is a wakeup call, and further proof of the need for stronger measures to tackle dangerous driving on our roads,” Mr Morris said.

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

“We have been calling for a double-demerit trial for years now, but unfortunately it appears a touch of complacency has set in so we are now having to turn around figures trending in the wrong direction.”

“A 2009 Western Australian study in a double-demerit scheme found that, compared to pre-trial results, the scheme was effective in reducing crashes during the defined period.” [1]

“Many of these crashes are happening in the highest speed zones, which is why the Greens also strongly support the current process to re-assess safe travelling speeds on all state roads.”

[1] A 2009 evaluation of the Western Australian double demerit points system by Synovate found that:

“Compared to the 2001 pre-trial results, the Double Demerit legislation remains effective in its core objective – reducing the number of crashes during the defined Double Demerit period.”
Tim Morris MP Greens Infrastructure Spokesperson Monday, 17 June 2013