Page 1759 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 18 August 1992
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I go on to the question of radar detectors. Having spent a considerable time in the transport industry, I am aware of the imperatives that are placed on transport operators to meet timetables, not only in delivering freight but also in delivering passengers. It was a real problem for legislators around Australia to come to grips with in trying to regulate driving hours and speed limits, knowing full well that there was a deliberate campaign by some sectors of the transport industry - and I emphasise "some sectors" - to overcome the radar traps and compliance traps used by Victorian and New South Wales police in particular.
It is well known, and the statistics quite clearly prove it, that road accidents involving heavy vehicles are caused by one of two factors. One is excessive speed and the other is fatigue. When you combine the two, the results are catastrophic. The banning of radar detectors in Victoria was seen by some people in the same light as the wearing of bicycle helmets is seen in the ACT. The amazing thing is that we did not end up having far more trauma on our roads by the use of these devices to evade the statutory speed limits. In Victoria, when those people took on the legislation and challenged the basis upon which the devices were made illegal, it was of great concern to me, and I think to all responsible road users. Thankfully, the legislation nationally, and also in Victoria, was changed to accommodate the prohibition of radar detector devices.
In the ACT we are, to some extent, fortunate, because of our geographical size, that we have not a great number of roads where excessive speed can be used, although from time to time some pretty amazing speeding convictions are recorded, not the least of which was someone doing 120 kilometres an hour in a 40 kilometres an hour zone. I think I speak for all of the ACT community when I say that I would not like to see in the ACT the situation where a person with a radar detector could do that sort of speed past a school or in other built-up areas. The provision in this Bill to outlaw radar detectors in the ACT, in recognition of what has happened in New South Wales and Victoria, is a move I applaud.
One question remains for us to deal with, and I believe that we will be considering it at some later stage. Other devices can be used in the ACT to restrict excessive use of speed, and I hope that the Government considers, in the short term, the proposition that we increase the incidence of road markings, similar to the markings that are used on the Barton Highway at what I think is called the roundabout. There is a deliberate attempt there to reduce the speed of trucks, cars and buses coming off the Barton Highway at 100 kilometres an hour to 80 kilometres an hour.
I believe that similar markings elsewhere in the ACT - for example, approaching schools, where you go from 60 to 40 kilometres an hour, coming off the Tuggeranong Parkway, where you go from 100 to 80 kilometres an hour, and in some areas back to a 60 kilometres an hour zone - should be considered by the appropriate area in the Minister's portfolio. It would be interesting to assess the effectiveness of those lines on the Barton Highway. I hope that that can be done and, if my gut feeling is borne out, it could be expanded for use in other areas. I have much pleasure in supporting all the proposals in the Bill.
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