Page 4770 - Week 16 - Wednesday, 28 November 1990
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MRS NOLAN (4.47): I am pleased to support this amendment Bill to the Motor Traffic Act 1936, and I welcome the support of other members for the Bill which allows the retrofitting of speed limiters to heavy goods vehicles and omnibuses. I happen to think, Mrs Grassby, that this is a very important Bill and one of the more positive measures that have come into this place. I think it can be compared to the introduction of the seat belt laws a decade ago.
It is very clear to me that fitting speed limiters to heavy vehicles is a more effective method of speed control than total reliance on the skills and attitudes of individual drivers, particularly because driver fatigue, boredom, demanding schedules and traffic conditions are each able to distort the ability and judgment of long-distance drivers. It will also provide a measure of control over what I believe to be a small, but dangerous, number of drivers who are prepared to risk the consequences of flouting road rules.
I am not sure whether any other member has been surrounded by several trucks on the road. I had such an experience not that long ago, which was rather scary, and I hope that nobody else has been in a similar sort of situation. Removing the ability of drivers to grossly exceed speed limits is an innovative enforcement method. As I have already said, Mr Speaker, it may well come to be recognised as one of the more positive measures employed to reduce the effects of road crashes since the introduction of seat belts.
I should draw members' attention to the provision within the Bill to allow for exemption of some vehicles from its requirements. Those vehicles which may be exempted would include those used for urban use, such as local route service buses and vehicles which do not travel more than 80 kilometres from the depot at which they are normally based. That has already been mentioned by Mr Stefaniak. Heavy vehicles required for farm use could also qualify for the exemption, which I think is a very important one.
This Bill will closely align the ACT legislation with that of our New South Wales neighbours, and I think that is a very important point as well. In short, it is a sensible and practical piece of legislation which will not unnecessarily disadvantage heavy vehicle drivers but which will provide substantial road safety benefits.
Let me add, Mr Speaker, that adequate administrative arrangements would also be put in place to ensure that heavy vehicle owners have sufficient time in which to conform with the new requirements. For example, I understand that the Registrar of Motor Vehicles will be writing to all those vehicle owners whose registration falls due between 1 January 1991 and 31 March 1991, specifically informing them of their obligations to fit speed limiters.
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