Reducing the Territory road toll
For a more detailed listing of the Road Safety Taskforce's recommendations and Government decisions.
The Northern Territory Government is committed to making our roads safer for all Territory road users.
In January 2006 the NT Government established the Road Safety Taskforce to work out how to reduce the Territory's shocking road toll.
The Taskforce reported back to Government with 21 recommendations aimed at changing our road use culture.
The following table shows the NT Government's decisions, based on the Taskforce's recommendations, in four key areas: penalties, enforcement, education and road safety coordination.
Changes to reduce the Territory road toll will be rolled out over the next 12 months.
Changes at a glance
Increased penalties and fines
Alcohol-related offences below 0.08 – fines doubled
- Fine increased from $100 to $200 for drink-driving offences
Speeding – all fines doubled
- Up to 15km/h – increased from $50 to $100
- Over 15km/h up to 30km/h – increased from $100 to $200
- Over 30km/h up to 45km/h – increased from $150 to $300
- Over 45km/h – additional ‘fine only' penalty of $500
Not wearing seatbelts – all fines doubled
- Driver or adult fails to wear seatbelt – increased from $100 to $200
- Driver fails to ensure person under 16 years wears seatbelt – increased from $120 to $240
Running traffic lights – fines increased
- Fail to obey red light – increased from $120 to $240
- Fail to obey yellow light – increased from $80 to $100
Repeat drink-driving offences – suspension of driver's licence
Regardless of any later court penalty:
- Immediate suspension for 3 months for second offence within 3 years
- Immediate suspension for 6 months for any subsequent offence within 3 years
Tougher seatbelt regulations
- Carrying more passengers than seatbelts is prohibited
- Children under 12 months must be appropriately restrained
Demerit point system
- Introduction of a demerit point system based on the national model
Increased enforcement
Improved detection of drink-driving
- Time limit on breath testing or taking blood samples increased from 2 to 4 hours
- Blood samples will be collected by a wider range of qualified persons in places other than just hospitals
Detection of drug-driving
- Blood testing for detection of suspected drug-driving
- New offence for driving having consumed a prohibited drug
Speed limits on NT open roads
- 130km/h speed limit – Stuart, Arnhem, Barkly and Victoria highways
- 110km/h speed limit – rural roads unless otherwise sign posted
Introduction of a Graduated Driver Licensing scheme for new drivers
- Minimum 6 months on L-plates and 2 years on P-plates for drivers under 25 years
- Minimum 6 months on L-plates and 12 months on P-plates for drivers over 25 years
- Total ban on mobile phone use (including hands free) for all L and P-plate drivers
- Failure to display L or P-plates – fine increased from $50 to $100
Installation of integrated red light and speed cameras
Highway Patrol and Remote Area Traffic Patrol Units
- New units to operate out of Katherine and Alice Springs
Establish a dedicated Traffic Section in NT Police
Improved road safety education
Improved road safety education curriculum for NT students
- Road safety included in school curriculum
Review of mandatory Drink Driver Education course
Remote community road safety officers
- Referred to new Road Safety Coordination Group for advice and recommendations on requirements for remote communities
Improved signage on routes with high tourist traffic
Improved road safety awareness campaigns
- Campaign on drink and drug-driving
- Campaign on speed limits
- Ongoing general road safety awareness programs
Improved coordination of road safety
- Municipal councils' role in road safety formally recognised
- Road Safety Coordination Group (including a recognised road safety expert) established to replace the Road Safety Council. The new group to formally report to Government.
For a more detailed listing of the Road Safety Taskforce's recommendations and Government decisions.
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