MEDIA RELEASE
Inquiry into the impact of revised speed limits in Civic—Petitions 31-21 and 38-21
The Planning, Transport and City Services Committee today published a report with 4 recommendations for the Inquiry into the impact of revised speed limits in Civic—Petitions 31-21 and 38-21.
On 16 September 2021 petitions 31-21 and 38-21 were tabled in the Assembly, sponsored by Mr Mark Parton MLA, and were signed by 1286 and 17 residents respectively. The petitions requested that the Assembly call on the ACT Government to waive fines and penalties incurred in July 2021, and take action to make it absolutely clear where the new 40 km/h speed limited zones in Civic apply. The petitions were referred to the Standing Committee on Planning, Transport and City Services under Standing Order 99A. The Committee agreed to inquire into and report on petitions 31-21 and 38-21 in relation to the new speed limits in Civic.
“During our inquiry, the Committee heard from community organisations, the Minister for Transport and City Services and Canberrans impacted by the change through their submissions” said the Chair of the Planning, Transport and City Services Committee, Jo Clay MLA.
“We’ve considered the issues and made recommendations in four areas:
- Support for Vision Zero as a road safety policy under the ACT Government, as it continues to expand 40 km/h zones to reduce road deaths and protect vulnerable road users.
- The Committee acknowledged that the July fines had a large impact on a lot of people. In this case, we have recommended ACT Government consider waiving fines and demerit points for the month of July 2021 in the speed zones under review, where the fines have resulted in financial hardship or similar circumstances. Further guidance on this recommendation is detailed below.
- Recommends the ACT Government consult on adoption of a NSW system for waiving traffic fines where the individual is a vulnerable person due to financial hardship, for mental health reasons or otherwise.
- Recommends the ACT Government to review processes for similar road safety changes in the future, and additionally note advice from the NRMA and related agencies that made submissions proposing additional warning systems in the reduced 40 kp/h speed zone areas.”
The recommendations are:
Recommendation 1 2.11. The Committee recommends that to support Vision Zero, reduce road deaths and protect vulnerable road users, the ACT Government continue its ACT Road Safety Action Plan policy of expanding 40 km/h speed limit areas. Recommendation 2 3.37. The Committee recommends that the government consider waiving fines and demerit points for the month of July 2021 in the speed zones under inquiry, where the fines have resulted in financial hardship or similar circumstances. The Government should consider whether all fines and associated penalties be waived, or whether Government should leave the initial fine and demerit points in place but waive subsequent fines and demerit points. Recommendation 3 3.38. The Committee recommends that the ACT Government consult with Care Incorporated, Canberra Community Law, Legal Aid and ACTCOSS to explore permanent grounds to waive traffic fines where the individual is a vulnerable person due to financial hardship, for mental health reasons or otherwise, similar to and improving on the system in NSW. Recommendation 4 4.26. The Committee notes that the ACT Government communications were thorough but given the number of fines issued in July 2021, the Government should take an additional step and issue individual warning notices in the first month when significant changes to large areas are made for reduced speed limits in the future, and explore other warning systems, such as those noted by NRMA and other agencies during the Committee review. |
The report is available at: https://www.parliament.act.gov.au/parliamentary-business/in-committees/recent-reports
21 January 2021
STATEMENT ENDS.
For further information please contact:
Committee Chair, Ms Jo Clay MLA on (02) 6205 0131, or Media Office Alex O’Brien on 0450 082 187.
Committee Secretary on (02) 6205 0127 or at LACommitteePTCS@parliament.act.gov.au