Message from the Chief Minister

A comprehensive road safety package has been approved to cut the Territory’s devastating road toll.

On average, one person is killed every week and nine seriously injured on our roads – we had to act decisively – and that’s what we’ve done.

We’ve taken the tough decisions needed to reduce the number of people killed and also recognised our unique conditions.

We’ve accepted all the principles of the NT Road Safety Taskforce Report, Safer Road Use: A Territory Imperative.

The open speed limit will go - the default speed limit on open roads – unless signposted otherwise – will be 110 km/h.

However - the Stuart, Arnhem, Barkly and Victoria Highways will all have 130 km/h speed limits.

After listening to Territorians I feel confident that the higher limit on our main highways recognises our circumstances.

Demerit points will be introduced to deter people from driving dangerously – they’ll be enforced by more police on our roads.

Penalties will be increased for drink driving, speeding and not wearing seat belts – cameras will catch people who speed and run red lights.

Greater emphasis will be placed on road safety education.

I’d like to thank the Road Safety Taskforce for its thorough examination of road safety in the Northern Territory - we expect the changes to be implemented by the end of 2007.