Seanad debates

Wednesday, 5 February 2003

I returned recently from a private visit to Australia and was very impressed by their initiatives. They have very aggressive signage on their highways and roads such as "stop, revive and survive". They continually remind motorists they will be caught and penalty points will be put on their licences if they speed on a continuous basis. Their policy seems to work. On public holidays, if one is caught speeding, not wearing a seat belt or whatever, the penalty points are doubled. I was there for Australia Day and there was a huge movement of traffic throughout New South Wales. People abided by the rules because if they were caught, their penalty points were doubled for that holiday period. I ask the Minister and his officials to consider this and see if it could be introduced by way of regulation. Many Members referred to the danger at holiday time. On bank holiday Mondays many people travel around the country and it is something the Minister might consider doing even for one holiday period to see if it would make a difference.

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