Extra Demerit Point

[pharkit]

http://smh.drive.com.au/roads-and-traffic/drivers-cut-a-little-more-slack-in-demerit-points-shakeup-20101122-1848j.html

Drivers cut a little more slack in demerit points shake-up

Alexandra Smith STATE POLITICS

November 23, 2010

THE state government is making a pitch to drivers by allowing them an extra demerit point on their licences in the biggest overhaul of the points system since 1969.

The Premier, Kristina Keneally, announced yesterday that unrestricted licence holders would be able to accumulate 13 points while professional drivers would be entitled to an extra two points, taking them to 14.

She said the changes were a reward for the majority of NSW motorists who drove safely, and would not have an impact on road safety, despite 22 demerit point offences being scrapped or reduced. The three-year period in which demerit point penalties were kept would not be changed.

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The changes ''recognise that most drivers in NSW do the right thing, and they deserve a break, they deserve a fair go''.

In another move to appease drivers, Ms Keneally said mobile speed cameras would be more clearly marked, with warning signs placed at least 50 metres before camera vehicles.

The cars would be marked in bright colours, she said.

The opposition spokesman on roads, Andrew Stoner, said drivers would welcome the extra demerit point but the mobile speed camera changes were an admission that the government's policy was a failure.

''NSW motorists know that this is nothing more than a publicity ploy,'' he said.

Wendy Machin, president of the NRMA, said the changes were a ''big win'' for motorists.

[Rancidpunx]

Sounds like a step in the right direction. However it is more likely a give with one hand and take with the other situation. Expect more cameras to be be ordered and deployed whilst they are waving the "Good News" distraction.

[ronburgundy]

Anyone else see the irony in the statement suggesting that an extra points rewards those that do the right thing??!!

No doubt we're not angels and that we all transgress on the odd occasion but I would posit that if you have used up 12 points during a 3 year period, you're probably not one of those people that "does the right thing"!

[tab]

Wouldn't be a state election coming up by any chance would there?

[Rancidpunx]

Just read another papers article and part of the plan will not take points away for not indicating. f*cking idiots.

[Smoke them tyres]

I thought that when it went from a 4 year demerit period to a 3 year demerit period ages ago, we were effectively jipped a point....wasn't it 13 points over 4 years and they made it 9 points over 3?????

If my memory serves me correctly , they are only handing back what they previously took.

People who have lost their licences can't continue to pay traffic fines. I suspect that the revenue is the real goal (and an election). How skeptical of me.

The retards for not taking points for not indicating....basic road rule if ever there was one. So if someone changes lanes into the side of another car without indicating, how will the cops apportion who was at fault? As per usual with that mob, they think NOTHING through

Edited 24/11/10 09:35 AM by Smoke them tyres

[Guest XR09]

Ha ha big win my ass. As you said we are just getting back what we use to have.

Probably will earn them another ten mil in revenue. Like what good are you to them if you don't have a license. This will give them one more chance to get an extra couple of hungey out of you.

The death rate is not rising. The amount of people on our roads is. dramatically. So is the amount of devious covert tactics to get cash out of you in the name of safety. Covert cameras, vans, cars and bikes. Timed travel FFS.

I really use to think this was the lucky country. The true land of the free. A bloody good democracy. Now. Its just getting rdiculous. All about the big $$$$. If they actually cared they would do something about it that worked.

How about every cent that they ping us for with their devious crap goes strait back to school for the kids to get driver Ed at a young enough age that driving will be a second nature to them.

[xr_velocity]

1 point, but 44 new mobile speed cameras with a sign 50 meters from it's location. You can guarantee yourselves that when the Libs win the state election in March they will keep them even though they have been critical of them. They are all addicted to the money, nothing new in that statement.

Just look at Water and Electricity prices in NSW, they are government owned and yet they act like they have no control over the pricing! These cameras are the same, even if the road toll rises they will bring out some stats showing how good and effective they are. Just look at Victoria, their road toll is up and they are the most revenue hungry of all the states from cameras....yet the cameras are still justified. I have always said more Highway Patrol Police, they would pay their own wages in fining people for unsafe driving, get the tailgaters, right lane hogs etc. Once people are pounded into submission for road ethics rather than road cameras, watch the attitude of drivers change and the road toll come down. Attitude causes people to do some stupid sh!t.

The government fruit loops in NSW have done some good by making some offences incur no demerit point loss though. That is a good change.

Edited 25/11/10 09:56 PM by xr_velocity

[Iconic Bionic]

The cynical view I have is that the extra point/s will allow more people to continue to drive and be fined even more. Will less money be raised by this practice??

A sensational con by the State government to think they are giving us all a break. What a great distraction away form there mobile speed camera fiasco on the eve of a pending election.

Remember only just last year the speeding brackets were all changed. Less points with more money for the lower ones and more points and alot more money for the bigger speedsters.

I.B.

Edited 25/11/10 10:28 PM by Iconic Bionic

[Smoke them tyres]

As they see it, if the toll is going up, it is justification for the cameras.

However, if the toll is going down, they say their strategy is working and introduce even more cameras.

Also, if they can't find an obvious reason for an accident, "it must have been speed".

And they wonder why people are skeptical.

If only they thought positively about how to go about this....re some scandinavian countries approach. Draconian measures will always fail, but I guess that the lives lost are less important than the revenue, despite all their "protestations". What incompetent fakes.

How about skills training to go with positive attitude change you plonker politicians?