Thursday, Nov 02, 2006 at 21:22
taken from N.T News 31/10:
THE Territory Government is having second thoughts about introducing a demerit points system.
There is a growing feeling that the system will penalise hundreds of motorists who drive marginally over the limit but not tackle the biggest cause of road deaths -- drink-driving.
A final decision on what recommendations to accept could be announced tomorrow or early next week.
One senior Labor Party member told the Northern Territory News: "We're worried that many motorists who aren't reckless will end up losing their licences for a few months because they drive a little over the limit.
"Demerit points won't do anything to stop drink-driving.
"And all the figures show that most people who die on our roads are drunk.
"There's a growing feeling in Government that it would be better to make those who repeatedly speed suffer by increasing the fines, especially for those who go seriously over the limit."
As revealed in the Northern Territory News last week, the Government has already privately rejected the idea of a blanket 110km/h speed limit on the Stuart Highway.
But a targeted limit is still likely, especially at blackspots between
Darwin and
Katherine, where most of the accidents on the highway occur.
The Government is also expected to change drink-driving laws.
At the moment, Territorians are only fined for driving with a blood-alcohol limit between .05 and .08.
The Government's final road safety decrees are likely to include:
A SPEED limit for dangerous stretches of the Stuart and Barkly highways, and the whole of other highways;
NO demerit points -- or a more lenient system than down south;
DIGITAL red light cameras;
INCREASED fines for speeding, not wearing a
seat belt and jumping a red light;
STRICTER conditions for L and P plate drivers; and
LOSS of licence for repeat driving with a blood-alcohol 0.05 offences.
FollowupID:
462194