CItizens against the RTA.
11-12-2008 | 01:30 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Registered
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Northern NSW, Australia
CItizens against the RTA.
Any opinions?
http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/m...e#contentSwap1
http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/m...e#contentSwap1
Cliff Reece, 63, a management consultant from Camden who drives more than 50,000 kilometres each year visiting clients, is sitting on 11 demerit points. His two neighbours are in the same position. "We're all over 50 years old, and one's a minister of religion so we're not hoons, but we are on the road a lot. If I lose my licence, I will have to either hire someone to drive me or I can't work."
Reece and his friends have launched a protest group to lobby for changes to the demerit point system: CARTA - Citizens Against the RTA. To join, you can contact Cliff on 0412 508 860.
Reece and his friends have launched a protest group to lobby for changes to the demerit point system: CARTA - Citizens Against the RTA. To join, you can contact Cliff on 0412 508 860.
11-12-2008 | 03:38 PM
#2
Shootin' from the hip
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
I tend to agree with Devine's article.
Although we obviously need deterrents to dangerous driving, the demerit system can be very petty and harsh in its operation. When so many people fall foul of a given system of laws, it is usually a warning signal that the law does not reflect normal variations in human behaviour.
But we could theorise all day. This is primarily a revenue raising machine for a cash strapped government and you'll never get them to moderate its operation for such base reasons as common sense.
Although we obviously need deterrents to dangerous driving, the demerit system can be very petty and harsh in its operation. When so many people fall foul of a given system of laws, it is usually a warning signal that the law does not reflect normal variations in human behaviour.
But we could theorise all day. This is primarily a revenue raising machine for a cash strapped government and you'll never get them to moderate its operation for such base reasons as common sense.
11-28-2008 | 02:12 AM
#3
MyZoomer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Sydney Australia
Wasn't there talk recently in NSW about reviewing the points and penalties for low range speeding offences. It was only in the last couple of weeks and I've not heard anything since but there may some glimmer of hope on the horizon.
11-29-2008 | 07:09 PM
#4
Shootin' from the hip
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
The govt has agreed to a 'review' but if you've ever watched 'Yes Minister' you'll know the currency of that. The RTA doesn't exactly move quickly on this kind of thing.
Personally, I think there should be more of spectrum so the points match the seriousness of the infringement but the 'speed kills' safety ***** will give the govt grief and the media will delight in reporting it all - not many pollies have the guts to stare down that kind of negative reportage...and we all know our state govt doesn't need any more bad press...
Personally, I think there should be more of spectrum so the points match the seriousness of the infringement but the 'speed kills' safety ***** will give the govt grief and the media will delight in reporting it all - not many pollies have the guts to stare down that kind of negative reportage...and we all know our state govt doesn't need any more bad press...
11-29-2008 | 10:34 PM
#5
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,869
Likes: 327
From: Australia
Don't know about NSW, but here in SA there is a Black Market selling demerit points, all the caught driver has to do is say they were not driving the car at the time and nominates the PHONY driver who receives the fine and demerit points, and volar the actual perpetrator gets off with no loss.
They do pay the fine and "agreed" costs, have heard up to $100 per demerit point!
Having said that our state government Minister has also said they are reviewing the demerit point system too, we have many drivers close to losing their license for minor speeding breaches.
They do pay the fine and "agreed" costs, have heard up to $100 per demerit point!
Having said that our state government Minister has also said they are reviewing the demerit point system too, we have many drivers close to losing their license for minor speeding breaches.
11-29-2008 | 11:52 PM
#6
Shootin' from the hip
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
Something similar is/was happening in NSW but I think the publicity surrounding Einfeld J's massive fall from grace - convicted, silk stripped, etc - is making many people, with a lot to lose, think twice about that sort of caper. It is illegal of course and frankly a conviction isn't worth it - it can dog you for life, being a dishonesty offence (e.g. potential employers will rule you out simply because of that).
12-02-2008 | 03:53 AM
#7
Registered
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
its a tuff one, the road is dangerous enough, we cant really relax the limits, demerit points seems like a good system to me, you get one or two chances, then your out, seems fair, drive within the rules everyone else has to. perhaps it should be shifted to the councils to deal with fines, not the police
just be glad we dont have GPS in our license plates that immediatly post us a letter when we stray over the speed limit
people are impatient, you see folk cross the streets and step out into traffic with little thought for the risks, people just think "they`ve got it covered", "nothing will go wrong" lack of consideration for themselves i can deal with, when that extends to lack of consideration to others (you, me,..) then thats not cool, there has to be something comparable to make them comply with the rules even if its inconvenient at the time
i get frustrated as much as everyone else with speed limits, were all "running late" sometimes, its just the way it is,
just be glad we dont have GPS in our license plates that immediatly post us a letter when we stray over the speed limit
people are impatient, you see folk cross the streets and step out into traffic with little thought for the risks, people just think "they`ve got it covered", "nothing will go wrong" lack of consideration for themselves i can deal with, when that extends to lack of consideration to others (you, me,..) then thats not cool, there has to be something comparable to make them comply with the rules even if its inconvenient at the time
i get frustrated as much as everyone else with speed limits, were all "running late" sometimes, its just the way it is,
12-02-2008 | 03:45 PM
#8
Thread Starter
Registered
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Northern NSW, Australia
I have no sympathy for people who speed in school zones.
The worst drivers travel everywhere at 70kmh. They abuse me when I pass them on the open road then they tailgate me as I slow down at the school zone in town.
However;
Statistics from the NT show that since the 130km/h speed limit has been introduced on previously unlimited roads, fatalities on those roads have increased by 44%.
Freeways should be limited to at least a 130km/h maximum and trucks should never be allowed in the overtaking lane.
The worst drivers travel everywhere at 70kmh. They abuse me when I pass them on the open road then they tailgate me as I slow down at the school zone in town.
However;
Statistics from the NT show that since the 130km/h speed limit has been introduced on previously unlimited roads, fatalities on those roads have increased by 44%.
Freeways should be limited to at least a 130km/h maximum and trucks should never be allowed in the overtaking lane.
12-02-2008 | 04:46 PM
#9
Shootin' from the hip
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
I have no sympathy for people who speed in school zones.
The worst drivers travel everywhere at 70kmh. They abuse me when I pass them on the open road then they tailgate me as I slow down at the school zone in town.
However;
Statistics from the NT show that since the 130km/h speed limit has been introduced on previously unlimited roads, fatalities on those roads have increased by 44%.
Freeways should be limited to at least a 130km/h maximum and trucks should never be allowed in the overtaking lane.
The worst drivers travel everywhere at 70kmh. They abuse me when I pass them on the open road then they tailgate me as I slow down at the school zone in town.
However;
Statistics from the NT show that since the 130km/h speed limit has been introduced on previously unlimited roads, fatalities on those roads have increased by 44%.
Freeways should be limited to at least a 130km/h maximum and trucks should never be allowed in the overtaking lane.
