A member of parliament questions the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure regarding a historical moratorium on seatbelt enforcement for heavy vehicle drivers and the current penalties for non-compliance. The Minister deflects, stating the matter falls under the purview of the Minister for Police and Emergency Services.

AnsweredQoN 465Legislative Council
Asked
20 June 2007
Portfolio
Planning and Infrastructure

QuestionView source ↗

HEAVY VEHICLES - SEATBELTS
This is another question that could not be answered yesterday. (1) Can the minister outline the background to the 1994-2005 moratorium on issuing infringement notices to drivers of heavy vehicles found to be not wearing seatbelts, including the rationale for introducing, and subsequently ceasing, the moratorium? (2) What is the penalty for a heavy vehicle driver found to be not wearing a seatbelt, including demerit points? (3) Does the double-demerits regime apply to this offence on a public holiday; and, if so, what is the penalty? (4) Is it the government’s position that the penalty described is commensurate with the gravity of the offence, particularly when considering the additional impact that the possible loss of licence through the accrual of demerit points would have on a professional long-distance driver? Hon ADELE FARINA

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question. The moratorium on heavy vehicle seatbelt wearing was first issued on 8 April 1994 by the Commissioner of Police and questions should be directed to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services.
(1) Can the minister outline the background to the 1994-2005 moratorium on issuing infringement notices to drivers of heavy vehicles found to be not wearing seatbelts, including the rationale for introducing, and subsequently ceasing, the moratorium? (2) What is the penalty for a heavy vehicle driver found to be not wearing a seatbelt, including demerit points? (3) Does the double-demerits regime apply to this offence on a public holiday; and, if so, what is the penalty? (4) Is it the government’s position that the penalty described is commensurate with the gravity of the offence, particularly when considering the additional impact that the possible loss of licence through the accrual of demerit points would have on a professional long-distance driver? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The moratorium on heavy vehicle seatbelt wearing was first issued on 8 April 1994 by the Commissioner of Police and questions should be directed to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services.
(2) What is the penalty for a heavy vehicle driver found to be not wearing a seatbelt, including demerit points? (3) Does the double-demerits regime apply to this offence on a public holiday; and, if so, what is the penalty? (4) Is it the government’s position that the penalty described is commensurate with the gravity of the offence, particularly when considering the additional impact that the possible loss of licence through the accrual of demerit points would have on a professional long-distance driver? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The moratorium on heavy vehicle seatbelt wearing was first issued on 8 April 1994 by the Commissioner of Police and questions should be directed to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services.
(3) Does the double-demerits regime apply to this offence on a public holiday; and, if so, what is the penalty? (4) Is it the government’s position that the penalty described is commensurate with the gravity of the offence, particularly when considering the additional impact that the possible loss of licence through the accrual of demerit points would have on a professional long-distance driver? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The moratorium on heavy vehicle seatbelt wearing was first issued on 8 April 1994 by the Commissioner of Police and questions should be directed to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services.
(4) Is it the government’s position that the penalty described is commensurate with the gravity of the offence, particularly when considering the additional impact that the possible loss of licence through the accrual of demerit points would have on a professional long-distance driver? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The moratorium on heavy vehicle seatbelt wearing was first issued on 8 April 1994 by the Commissioner of Police and questions should be directed to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services.
Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The moratorium on heavy vehicle seatbelt wearing was first issued on 8 April 1994 by the Commissioner of Police and questions should be directed to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The moratorium on heavy vehicle seatbelt wearing was first issued on 8 April 1994 by the Commissioner of Police and questions should be directed to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services.

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