Govt Chooses Revenue Over Road Toll

Completely lost in the recent debate around the extension of the demerit points system - announced by Transport Minister Annette King before Christmas - is the issue of speed cameras, ACT New Zealand Deputy Leader Heather Roy said today.

"Both Transport Minister King and Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven have gone to great lengths to tell the public that fines don't work, and that demerits and license suspensions are more effective," Mrs Roy said.

"Minister King announced that fines for offences, such as speeding, will be cut - claiming that many young drivers were accumulating large fines, which they could not pay, and fines did not deter them from driving recklessly.

"Why, then, are speed cameras still operating - usually carefully hidden around corners, behind land masses and in shrubbery? The answer is that they are - and always have been - a means of revenue gathering.

"What most people forget is the graduated way in which speed cameras were introduced. First, they had to be easily visible - at Black Spots only; and there had to be signs warning that they were operating in the area. Now, however, they operate with impunity everywhere and, all too often, are cleverly concealed - but not in accident areas. Speed cameras do not attract demerit points - just fines that the Government tell us don't work. This is merely revenue gathering.

"While increasing demerit points and decreasing fines is a step in the right direction, it takes more than words to put this into action. Recidivist repeat offenders are the real issue - one the Government has a very poor record of dealing with.

"Continuing with speed cameras as the main strategy is misguided and greedy. What is needed is some honesty from the Government - which should admit that it wants the revenue in its war chest to pay for pledge cards and bribes in election year.

"If the Government were serious about reducing the road toll and improving safety on our roads it would place the emphasis on policing driving habits on known 'black spots', and follow up on the 5,843 drivers who should have had their licence suspended," Mrs Roy said.



ENDS