Government's response to Taskforce recommendations

Recommendation 1:

a) Approve increases in drive with alcohol infringement penalties as below:

Approved

Approved

Approved

Recommendation 2:

a) Amend the Traffic Act to increase the time period within which a breath or blood sample for BAC testing must be obtained from two hours to four hours; and

Approved

b) Amend the Traffic Act to allow medical practitioners, registered nurses or qualified persons to collect blood samples for BAC testing in locations other than registered hospitals.

Approved

Recommendation 3:

Approve additional funding to the Department of Health and Community Services (DHCS) of $100,000 in 2006-07 to undertake a review of the nature, governance and effectiveness of the current mandatory drink-driver education course, reporting back to Cabinet by August 2007.

 

Approved

Recommendation 4:

a) Approve amendments to the Traffic Act to provide the necessary power to collect samples of blood to test for drugs and other psychotropic substances:

i) from persons involved in motor vehicle crashes; and

ii) in the case of dangerous or unexplained driving behaviour.

Approved

Approved

c) Approve additional funding to NT Police of $90,000 from 2006-07 and ongoing for toxicology tests.

Approved in principle
(with total funding to be determined after detailed costings have been provided)

Recommendation 5:

Approve additional funding to the Department of Planning and Infrastructure (DPI) of $120,000 in 2006-07 to develop and implement a communication strategy for the package of drink and drug driving initiatives.

Approved in principle
(with total funding to be determined after detailed costings have been provided)

Recommendation 6:

a) Approve the introduction of a default speed limit on open roads of 110 km/h; and

Approved
- 110km/h on rural roads, unless otherwise sign posted
- 130km/h on Stuart, Arnhem, Barkly and Victoria highways

b) Approve additional funding to DPI of $100,000 in 2006-07 for an education and media campaign.

Approved $583,000

Recommendation 7:

Approve increases in current Traffic Infringement penalties for speeding and introduce an infringement penalty for exceeding the speed limit by over 45 km/h as follows:

Approved

Recommendation 8:

a) Enhance education and media campaigns aimed at increasing seatbelt use, supported by strategically placed signage and other visual reminders; and

Approved

b) Approve increases in seatbelt infringement penalties as below:

Approved

Recommendation 9:

a) Support the proposed amendments to the Australian Road Rules to prohibit the carriage of more passengers in vehicles than restraints available; and

Approved

b) Approve an amendment to the Traffic Regulations to require children under 12 months of age to be appropriately restrained.

Approved

Recommendation 10:

Approve additional funding to DPI of $300,000 in 2006-07 and $600,000 per annum for four years commencing 2007-08 for a pilot program of four community-based Road Safety Officers: two in Central Australia; and two in the Top End.

Referred to new Road Safety Coordination Group to consider
and recommend to Government,
as a priority, the best way to handle driver education and licensing, driver training and
safety awareness in remote
areas

Recommendation 11:

Approve additional funding to DPI of $30,000 in 2006-07 and 2007-08 for signage and pavement marking on routes with high tourist traffic.

Approved

Recommendation 12:

a) Approve the development of a comprehensive graduated driver licensing scheme with the full proposal submitted to Cabinet in November 2006;

Approved

b) In the knowledge that a comprehensive graduated licensing scheme will not be implemented before 2008, approve the following amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act as initial measures to commence 1 January 2007:

i) provide for a minimum learner licence period of 12 months, including for motorcycle licences, for all drivers under the age of 25 and six months for drivers 25 years or older;

ii) provide for a provisional licence period of two years or 12 months for drivers 25 years or older; and

iii) mobile phone use in any form while driving be prohibited during the learner and provisional phases.

Approved
Minimum learner licence period of 12 months to be reduced to 6 months


Approved


Approved

c) Approve an increase in the penalty for the offence of drive without L or P plate from $50 to $100.

Note: The current system, allowing provisional licencing at a younger age for those undertaking either the Driver Training and Licencing (DTAL) or Motorcycle Education Training and Licencing (METAL) programs, would be discontinued.

Approved

Recommendation 13:

a) Approve the development of a demerit point system based on the national model Demerit Points Scheme to commence operation 1 July 2007; and

Approved
Commencement during the second half of 2007

b) Approve additional funding to DPI of $785,000 for 2006-07 for the development and implementation of the scheme and additional funding of $370,000 for 2007-08 and ongoing to administer and maintain the scheme.

Approved in principle
(with total funding to be determined after detailed costings have been provided)

Recommendation 14:

a) Approve additional funding of $450,000 per annum for 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09 to install integrated red light and speed cameras; and

Approved
Funding revised to $650,000 per year 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09 and $200,000 in 2009-10

b) Approve increases in traffic light infringement penalties as below:

Approved

Recommendation 15:

It is recommended that the recommendation of the O'Sullivan Report in relation to the establishment of a dedicated Traffic Section be implemented as soon as possible in 2006-07.

Approved

Recommendation 16:

a) Approve the formation of Highway Patrol units to operate out of Katherine and Alice Springs from 1 July 2007; and

Approved

b) Approve additional funding to NT Police of $1.5M in 2007-08 to establish the Highway Patrol units, and $638,000 in 2008-09 and ongoing to maintain the patrols.

Approved
Funding revised to $982,000 in 2007-08, and $684,000 in 2008-09 and ongoing

Recommendation 17:

a) Approve the formation of Remote Area Traffic Patrol units to operate out of Katherine and Alice Springs from 1 July 2007; and

Approved

b) Approve additional funding to NT Police of $1.5M in 2007-08 to form the Remote Area Traffic Patrols, and $638,000 in 2008-09 and ongoing to maintain the patrols.

Approved
Funding revised to $982,000 in 2007-08, and $684,000 in 2008-09 and ongoing

Recommendation 18:

Approve additional funding to DPI of $250,000 from 2006-07 and ongoing for additional road safety education and awareness programs.

Approved in principle
(with total funding to be determined after detailed costings have been provided)

Recommendation 19:

a) Approve the development of a road safety education curriculum as part of the transition to Year 10 curriculum framework; and

Approved the further development of road safety curriculum in schools

b) Approve additional funding to DPI of $100,000 in 2007-08 and 2008-09 for the development of the curriculum.

Approved in principle
(with total funding to be determined after detailed costings have been provided)

Recommendation 20:

a) Approve the amendment of Schedule 2 of the Local Government Act to include Road Safety as a function of local government, and facilitate the required notices under section
121(4) of the Local Government Act to ensure that Road Safety is a valid function for all current Municipal Councils; and

Approved

b) Approve additional funding to DPI of $600,000 per annum for five years commencing 2006-07 to be allocated to each of the six Municipal Councils ($100,000 each per annum) to fund road safety activities.

Not Approved

Recommendation 21:

a) Approve repeal of the Road Safety Council Act thereby dissolving the Road Safety Council;

Approved

Approved
To also include AANT representative

c) Approve additional funding to DPI of $90,000 in 2006-07 and ongoing to facilitate the appointment of a nationally recognised road safety expert to provide expert advice and assistance.

Approved in principle
(with total funding to be determined after detailed costings have been provided)