Driving | A losing battle... | Page 26

In 2009 there was a drastic reduction in the number of women I dated and the SA road toll soared by about 30% over 2008.

Queensland road toll linked to state's prosperity
Matthew Fynes-Clinton

ROAD safety experts have blamed Queensland's historical socio-economic strength for contributing to one of the worst road tolls in the nation.

Federal Transport Department figures show Queensland recorded 7.6 road fatalities for every 100,000 residents in 2008.

The carnage was relatively contained in the ACT (4.07), NSW (5.7), Victoria (5.72) and South Australia (6.18).

QUT Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety senior lecturer Mark King says the past decade has seen boom mining states pay a tragic price.

"Back in 2006-07, when the road toll was going up in Australia, where it was going up the most was in Queensland and Western Australia," he said.

"Where you've got a very strong resources sector, you've got more companies doing better, more people employed, more things being bought and moved here and there. More cars on the road."

Max Cameron, of Victoria's Monash University Accident Research Centre, said Queensland's population growth – approaching 3 per cent a year – compounded its plight.

"We tend to think the thing that affects road safety is what the police and transport department do," Professor Cameron said.

"But underlying all of that, what's driving road fatalities up or down are population, amount of travel and economic prosperity."

In terms of deaths per 100,000 population for 2008, only the Northern Territory (34.1), Western Australia (9.66) and Tasmania (8.03) were hit harder than Queensland families.

A long-range National Road Safety Strategy to slash fatalities from 9.32 for every 100,000 Australians in 1999 to 5.6 by this year has failed.

The nation's road death rate hovers around seven per 100,000.

Queensland, after making good headway last century with a progression of enforcement initiatives, is fast running out of excuses.

In 1998, the state road toll took its last great dive following the introduction of mobile speed cameras the previous year.

The 279 deaths represented more than 80 fewer fatalities than 1997's 360. The figure has not returned below the 300 mark since.

Premier Anna Bligh recently announced a major upgrade of the speed camera program for 2010. Key features are:

• Thirty per cent of mobile cameras to be used covertly for the first time.

• The introduction of point-to-point cameras that measure average speeds over road stretches.

• Intersections bolstered with dual red-light/speed cameras.

Victoria went covert with its entire mobile speed camera operation in 1990 and has not looked back.

Studies prove that cameras attached to stationary, civilian sedans – when compared with the snap-traps of marked police vehicles and warning signage – have far greater success in reducing road fatalities.

"That's because the covert cameras are perceived by the most dangerous high-end speedsters as very threatening," Prof Cameron said.

"It's hard to know that you've ever gone past one. In Melbourne (covert) cameras have contributed to a 25 to 30 per cent drop in crashes involving death and serious injury."

Two decades later, Queensland is set to merely dabble in the realm of so-called sneaky cameras.

On the other hand, its randomised, open camera policing has long been considered the most comprehensive in Australia.

NSW dumped mobile speed cameras in 2008 and is forced to rely on 172 covert fixed cameras to put speed demons in the frame.

That NSW still manages to outperform Queensland on the fatal road score underlines the complexity of finding solutions.

Apart from a continued focus on the fatal four – speed, alcohol, fatigue and seatbelts – Prof Cameron said enhanced roads and safety barriers plus better-stabilised cars would make a big difference.

However, he accused federal governments of failing to provide leadership.

"Currently, the Australian Government is valuing a road death very conservatively – at just over $2 million per person, with medical and other costs and foregone income," he said.

"The US and the UK value them at at-least twice that.

"It's important because most decisions about improved roads, media campaigns, even investment in (extra) police derives from economic-type arguments.

"Changing this valuation could change the economics of road safety investment overnight."

Nearly 85,000 motorists have lost their licences in the past three years via courts, the demerit point system and on-the-spot bans, including more than 25,000 last year.

Police, road safety experts and motoring bodies say the disturbing figures highlight an ongoing problem with dangerous, irresponsible driving.

61,000 motorists are one offence from losing licence
Tom Zed

MOTORISTS continue to dangerously flout road laws, with more than 60,000 potentially just one offence away from losing their driver's licence, Transport Department figures show.

Latest figures reveal 61,316 South Australian licensed drivers had accrued between six and 11 demerit points, leaving them on the brink of disqualification, depending on the nature of offence and the number of points they attract.

Offences of excessive speed (more than 30km/h over the limit), a breath analyser reading over .15, reckless or dangerous driving, refusing a breath or blood test for drink driving, or refusing a drug test carry a six-point penalty.

Running a red light, exceeded the speed limit by more than 15km/h or recorded a blood alcohol concentration of between 0.05 and 0.08 in a breathalyser test carries a three-point penalty.

Accrual of 12 demerit points over a three-year period results in disqualification.

Nearly 85,000 motorists have lost their licences in the past three years via courts, the demerit point system and on-the-spot bans, including more than 25,000 last year.

Police, road safety experts and motoring bodies say the disturbing figures highlight an ongoing problem with dangerous, irresponsible driving.

In light of the state's poor road toll record over the past 13 months - 119 people died on the roads in 2009 and 23 have already lost their lives this year - authorities say the disqualification and demerit points figures reinforce their calls for motorists to accept responsibility for their actions behind the wheel, their safety and that of other road users.

Motor Accident Commission general manager of corporate affairs Ben Tuffnell said SA drivers needed to lift their game regarding road safety.

"That there are so many people who have had their licence disqualified or are close to disqualification really highlights that drivers need to take responsibility for their actions to avoid being involved in a serious crash," he said. "These figures show the police are doing their job . . . and it's time for motorists to do something themselves."

Police Superintendent Mark Fairney, officer in charge of the Traffic Support Branch, said the number of drivers receiving instant driving bans for drink driving was particularly worrying.

"The number of motorists is not increasing exponentially but the number of immediate licence disqualifications for drink driving was more than 1400 in 2007, more than 1500 in 2008 and more than 1700 last year," he said.

"Last year, more than a third of people who died on the roads were (blood alcohol concentration) .05 or more and most were three times or more over the legal limit.

"If you're caught drink driving anywhere, anytime, you can have your licence taken away for six months and your car impounded. Driving disqualified is an offence and if you continue to flout the law then eventually you'll see yourself in prison."

Demerit points are accrued over a three-year period, with drivers sent a notice warning they are close to disqualification when they reach six or more points.

Those who pick up 12 or more points are banned from holding or obtaining a drivers licence or permit for at least three months, starting 28 days after receipt of a formal notice of the ban.

The number of driving bans fell from just over 30,000 in 2008 to just over 25,000 last year, but the proportions of L or P platers and immediate bans for drink driving and speeding offences increased.

Road Safety Minister Michael O'Brien said a fall of nearly 5000 in the number of drivers disqualified was encouraging but the figures were still too high.

"The current number of drivers carrying between six and 11 demerit points . . . is concerning but represents only about five per cent of the 1.1 million licence holders in SA," he said.

"These figures are one of the reasons why I'm urging all drivers to make road safety a personal priority."