❓ WA Parliament QoN regarding road safety penalties, specifically means-tested fines, alternative sanctions, and a reward system for good driving. The response indicates consideration and implementation of some options.
AnsweredQoN 633Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ROAD SAFETY PENALTIES — FINDINGS OF AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE
I refer to the revised road safety penalties and the answer given by the Premier to question on notice 6091 on 13 May 2008. (1) Has the minister considered any of the following — (a) making fines means-tested—for example, via penalty units having a sliding scale of dollar values based on the person’s income tax bracket; (b) alternative sanctions; and (c) a reward system for good driving? (2) If so, what were the reasons for dismissing each of these options? Hon KIM CHANCE
I refer to the revised road safety penalties and the answer given by the Premier to question on notice 6091 on 13 May 2008. (1) Has the minister considered any of the following — (a) making fines means-tested—for example, via penalty units having a sliding scale of dollar values based on the person’s income tax bracket; (b) alternative sanctions; and (c) a reward system for good driving? (2) If so, what were the reasons for dismissing each of these options? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for Community Safety, I thank Hon Giz Watson for some notice of the question. I had not seen this question, so I would like a moment to read it. (1) (a) This is not specifically a road safety issue; it is a decision for the whole of government to make about how penal regimes are structured. (b) Alternative sanctions or penalties have been considered for drink-driving. It is proposed to establish alcohol interlocks as an alternative penalty to licence disqualification for all drink-driving offenders. (c) A safer driver reward scheme for novice drivers was implemented in January 2006. Under the scheme, probationary drivers who complete the two-year probation period without committing a traffic offence will receive a free one-year licence when they renew their licence for the first time. The initiative encourages young drivers to establish safe driving practices from the beginning of their driving careers. Double or Nothing is another scheme that will become effective on 30 June this year. This scheme allows a person who has accrued 12 or more demerit points to elect to continue to drive by agreeing not to accrue two or more demerit points during the following 12-month period. If the person incurs a further two or more demerit points during this period, his or her licence is automatically suspended for double the period that would otherwise have been applicable. (2) The options advised under (b) and (c) above have been or are being implemented as indicated and have not been dismissed.
(1) Has the minister considered any of the following — (a) making fines means-tested—for example, via penalty units having a sliding scale of dollar values based on the person’s income tax bracket; (b) alternative sanctions; and (c) a reward system for good driving? (2) If so, what were the reasons for dismissing each of these options? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for Community Safety, I thank Hon Giz Watson for some notice of the question. I had not seen this question, so I would like a moment to read it. (1) (a) This is not specifically a road safety issue; it is a decision for the whole of government to make about how penal regimes are structured. (b) Alternative sanctions or penalties have been considered for drink-driving. It is proposed to establish alcohol interlocks as an alternative penalty to licence disqualification for all drink-driving offenders. (c) A safer driver reward scheme for novice drivers was implemented in January 2006. Under the scheme, probationary drivers who complete the two-year probation period without committing a traffic offence will receive a free one-year licence when they renew their licence for the first time. The initiative encourages young drivers to establish safe driving practices from the beginning of their driving careers. Double or Nothing is another scheme that will become effective on 30 June this year. This scheme allows a person who has accrued 12 or more demerit points to elect to continue to drive by agreeing not to accrue two or more demerit points during the following 12-month period. If the person incurs a further two or more demerit points during this period, his or her licence is automatically suspended for double the period that would otherwise have been applicable. (2) The options advised under (b) and (c) above have been or are being implemented as indicated and have not been dismissed.
(b) alternative sanctions; and (c) a reward system for good driving?
(c) a reward system for good driving?
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for Community Safety, I thank Hon Giz Watson for some notice of the question. I had not seen this question, so I would like a moment to read it. (1) (a) This is not specifically a road safety issue; it is a decision for the whole of government to make about how penal regimes are structured. (b) Alternative sanctions or penalties have been considered for drink-driving. It is proposed to establish alcohol interlocks as an alternative penalty to licence disqualification for all drink-driving offenders. (c) A safer driver reward scheme for novice drivers was implemented in January 2006. Under the scheme, probationary drivers who complete the two-year probation period without committing a traffic offence will receive a free one-year licence when they renew their licence for the first time. The initiative encourages young drivers to establish safe driving practices from the beginning of their driving careers. Double or Nothing is another scheme that will become effective on 30 June this year. This scheme allows a person who has accrued 12 or more demerit points to elect to continue to drive by agreeing not to accrue two or more demerit points during the following 12-month period. If the person incurs a further two or more demerit points during this period, his or her licence is automatically suspended for double the period that would otherwise have been applicable. (2) The options advised under (b) and (c) above have been or are being implemented as indicated and have not been dismissed.
On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for Community Safety, I thank Hon Giz Watson for some notice of the question. I had not seen this question, so I would like a moment to read it. (1) (a) This is not specifically a road safety issue; it is a decision for the whole of government to make about how penal regimes are structured. (b) Alternative sanctions or penalties have been considered for drink-driving. It is proposed to establish alcohol interlocks as an alternative penalty to licence disqualification for all drink-driving offenders. (c) A safer driver reward scheme for novice drivers was implemented in January 2006. Under the scheme, probationary drivers who complete the two-year probation period without committing a traffic offence will receive a free one-year licence when they renew their licence for the first time. The initiative encourages young drivers to establish safe driving practices from the beginning of their driving careers. Double or Nothing is another scheme that will become effective on 30 June this year. This scheme allows a person who has accrued 12 or more demerit points to elect to continue to drive by agreeing not to accrue two or more demerit points during the following 12-month period. If the person incurs a further two or more demerit points during this period, his or her licence is automatically suspended for double the period that would otherwise have been applicable. (2) The options advised under (b) and (c) above have been or are being implemented as indicated and have not been dismissed.
(1) (a) This is not specifically a road safety issue; it is a decision for the whole of government to make about how penal regimes are structured. (b) Alternative sanctions or penalties have been considered for drink-driving. It is proposed to establish alcohol interlocks as an alternative penalty to licence disqualification for all drink-driving offenders. (c) A safer driver reward scheme for novice drivers was implemented in January 2006. Under the scheme, probationary drivers who complete the two-year probation period without committing a traffic offence will receive a free one-year licence when they renew their licence for the first time. The initiative encourages young drivers to establish safe driving practices from the beginning of their driving careers. Double or Nothing is another scheme that will become effective on 30 June this year. This scheme allows a person who has accrued 12 or more demerit points to elect to continue to drive by agreeing not to accrue two or more demerit points during the following 12-month period. If the person incurs a further two or more demerit points during this period, his or her licence is automatically suspended for double the period that would otherwise have been applicable. (2) The options advised under (b) and (c) above have been or are being implemented as indicated and have not been dismissed.
(c) A safer driver reward scheme for novice drivers was implemented in January 2006. Under the scheme, probationary drivers who complete the two-year probation period without committing a traffic offence will receive a free one-year licence when they renew their licence for the first time. The initiative encourages young drivers to establish safe driving practices from the beginning of their driving careers. Double or Nothing is another scheme that will become effective on 30 June this year. This scheme allows a person who has accrued 12 or more demerit points to elect to continue to drive by agreeing not to accrue two or more demerit points during the following 12-month period. If the person incurs a further two or more demerit points during this period, his or her licence is automatically suspended for double the period that would otherwise have been applicable.
(1) Has the minister considered any of the following — (a) making fines means-tested—for example, via penalty units having a sliding scale of dollar values based on the person’s income tax bracket; (b) alternative sanctions; and (c) a reward system for good driving? (2) If so, what were the reasons for dismissing each of these options? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for Community Safety, I thank Hon Giz Watson for some notice of the question. I had not seen this question, so I would like a moment to read it. (1) (a) This is not specifically a road safety issue; it is a decision for the whole of government to make about how penal regimes are structured. (b) Alternative sanctions or penalties have been considered for drink-driving. It is proposed to establish alcohol interlocks as an alternative penalty to licence disqualification for all drink-driving offenders. (c) A safer driver reward scheme for novice drivers was implemented in January 2006. Under the scheme, probationary drivers who complete the two-year probation period without committing a traffic offence will receive a free one-year licence when they renew their licence for the first time. The initiative encourages young drivers to establish safe driving practices from the beginning of their driving careers. Double or Nothing is another scheme that will become effective on 30 June this year. This scheme allows a person who has accrued 12 or more demerit points to elect to continue to drive by agreeing not to accrue two or more demerit points during the following 12-month period. If the person incurs a further two or more demerit points during this period, his or her licence is automatically suspended for double the period that would otherwise have been applicable. (2) The options advised under (b) and (c) above have been or are being implemented as indicated and have not been dismissed.
(b) alternative sanctions; and (c) a reward system for good driving?
(c) a reward system for good driving?
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for Community Safety, I thank Hon Giz Watson for some notice of the question. I had not seen this question, so I would like a moment to read it. (1) (a) This is not specifically a road safety issue; it is a decision for the whole of government to make about how penal regimes are structured. (b) Alternative sanctions or penalties have been considered for drink-driving. It is proposed to establish alcohol interlocks as an alternative penalty to licence disqualification for all drink-driving offenders. (c) A safer driver reward scheme for novice drivers was implemented in January 2006. Under the scheme, probationary drivers who complete the two-year probation period without committing a traffic offence will receive a free one-year licence when they renew their licence for the first time. The initiative encourages young drivers to establish safe driving practices from the beginning of their driving careers. Double or Nothing is another scheme that will become effective on 30 June this year. This scheme allows a person who has accrued 12 or more demerit points to elect to continue to drive by agreeing not to accrue two or more demerit points during the following 12-month period. If the person incurs a further two or more demerit points during this period, his or her licence is automatically suspended for double the period that would otherwise have been applicable. (2) The options advised under (b) and (c) above have been or are being implemented as indicated and have not been dismissed.
On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for Community Safety, I thank Hon Giz Watson for some notice of the question. I had not seen this question, so I would like a moment to read it. (1) (a) This is not specifically a road safety issue; it is a decision for the whole of government to make about how penal regimes are structured. (b) Alternative sanctions or penalties have been considered for drink-driving. It is proposed to establish alcohol interlocks as an alternative penalty to licence disqualification for all drink-driving offenders. (c) A safer driver reward scheme for novice drivers was implemented in January 2006. Under the scheme, probationary drivers who complete the two-year probation period without committing a traffic offence will receive a free one-year licence when they renew their licence for the first time. The initiative encourages young drivers to establish safe driving practices from the beginning of their driving careers. Double or Nothing is another scheme that will become effective on 30 June this year. This scheme allows a person who has accrued 12 or more demerit points to elect to continue to drive by agreeing not to accrue two or more demerit points during the following 12-month period. If the person incurs a further two or more demerit points during this period, his or her licence is automatically suspended for double the period that would otherwise have been applicable. (2) The options advised under (b) and (c) above have been or are being implemented as indicated and have not been dismissed.
(1) (a) This is not specifically a road safety issue; it is a decision for the whole of government to make about how penal regimes are structured. (b) Alternative sanctions or penalties have been considered for drink-driving. It is proposed to establish alcohol interlocks as an alternative penalty to licence disqualification for all drink-driving offenders. (c) A safer driver reward scheme for novice drivers was implemented in January 2006. Under the scheme, probationary drivers who complete the two-year probation period without committing a traffic offence will receive a free one-year licence when they renew their licence for the first time. The initiative encourages young drivers to establish safe driving practices from the beginning of their driving careers. Double or Nothing is another scheme that will become effective on 30 June this year. This scheme allows a person who has accrued 12 or more demerit points to elect to continue to drive by agreeing not to accrue two or more demerit points during the following 12-month period. If the person incurs a further two or more demerit points during this period, his or her licence is automatically suspended for double the period that would otherwise have been applicable. (2) The options advised under (b) and (c) above have been or are being implemented as indicated and have not been dismissed.
(c) A safer driver reward scheme for novice drivers was implemented in January 2006. Under the scheme, probationary drivers who complete the two-year probation period without committing a traffic offence will receive a free one-year licence when they renew their licence for the first time. The initiative encourages young drivers to establish safe driving practices from the beginning of their driving careers. Double or Nothing is another scheme that will become effective on 30 June this year. This scheme allows a person who has accrued 12 or more demerit points to elect to continue to drive by agreeing not to accrue two or more demerit points during the following 12-month period. If the person incurs a further two or more demerit points during this period, his or her licence is automatically suspended for double the period that would otherwise have been applicable.
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