Page 3947 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 23 October 1990
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lad about in recent years, to remind him of his responsibility as he takes on the role of driving a motor vehicle out on the street. In fact, it could be argued, Mr Deputy Speaker, that increasing such fines in times of economic recession - caused, of course, by a Federal Labor Government - might just encourage some of the less responsible members of the community to think twice before they break the law as it relates to the use of a motor vehicle.
This is specifically related to fines for speeding. I do not believe that anybody would disagree with the saying that speed kills. It is a very real danger for those who travel on the road. I know that people like Mr Berry, who have operated in the emergency area, are fully aware of the effect of such activities on young people, in particular, as they seek to exceed the speed limit and end up acting in an irresponsible manner and cause the unfortunate death of a member of society.
It is unfortunate that some of these people who claim that their civil rights are being infringed by such fines are in fact clearly breaching the civil rights of others, particularly if they are involved in the sorts of accidents that we often see portrayed on our television screens. I think it is time that we ensured that the younger people of our community, in particular, are made fully aware of their inability to cope with the responsibility of holding a driving licence.
The Motor Traffic Act was introduced in 1936 and relates to controls of motor vehicles and the regulation of traffic. Traffic infringement notices were introduced in the ACT in 1983 in recognition of the fact that it is not necessary for minor offenders against the Motor Traffic Act always to be subject to the court processes. It also serves to keep the courts clear for offences of a more serious nature to be heard. Traffic infringement notices are issued by the police for less serious traffic offences, such as speeding, not wearing a seat belt, not stopping at a "stop" sign, not giving way at a "give way" sign, not wearing a motorcycle helmet, and so on.
More serious offences, such as dangerous or negligent driving, are not traffic infringements. These types of offenders do not receive on the spot fines; they are required to go before the court. Driving at a dangerous speed is one such offence with a court imposed penalty of up to $2,000. I would think that that is not an inappropriate penalty for such irresponsible behaviour.
The fines for traffic infringements have not been reviewed since they were introduced in 1983 and do not reflect an adequate level of penalty to provide a deterrent to potential offenders. You, Mr Deputy Speaker, have raised the issue as it relates to fines applying in other States. I think it is well past the time when the ACT brought itself into line with nearby States and others in Australia
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