NSW: Increase in fines and now Demerits for parking offences
An overhaul of traffic infringements - more than tripling some fines and increasing demerit points - has been defended by the Roads Minister, Carl Scully, as a "fairer" system. But the Opposition has criticised the move, saying it will bring the State Government a "huge windfall".
"We have reduced more fines than we've raised," Mr Scully's spokesman, Jim Hanna, said. "The aim is to encourage better driver compliance."
However, the Opposition spokesman for transport, Don Page, said: "The fines have gone down in small amounts but increased by large amounts."
The new fines and demerit points, to be introduced in February, lift the penalty for double parking from $95 and no demerit points to $175 and two demerit points. The fine for stopping on or near a pedestrian crossing has increased from $70 to $225, and will attract three demerit points.
Some parking offences will no longer attract demerit points under planned changes to the Fines and Demerit Points System that will take effect from 1 March 2005.
The Minister for Roads, Carl Scully, said concerns about how the review would impact on professional drivers had been raised by industry groups.
“The RTA met with a number of these stakeholders to discuss concerns about the allocation of demerit points to certain parking offences,” Mr Scully said.
“These organisations - including the Transport Workers Union, Taxi Driver’s Association, NSW Taxi Council, NSW Road Transport Association and the United Services Union - highlighted some legitimate concerns.
“I’m now satisfied that demerits for double parking and parking in bus zones was likely to put some people out of work, and some companies out of business – that was never the intention.
“Under the revised scheme, demerit points for the offences of double parking and stopping in a bus stop or bus zone will now not be introduced.
“However, in the interest of road safety, demerit points will now apply for parking on pedestrian and school crossings.
“The additional discussions with professional drivers also confirmed strong levels of support for parking on pedestrian or school crossings attracting demerit points,” he said.
State Secretary of the Transport Workers Union, Tony Sheldon, said he was pleased a sensible resolution to a difficult issue had been reached.
“Our members welcomed Mr Scully’s recognition of the particular difficulties faced by professional drivers working in and around the Sydney CBD.
The newly amended system of fines and demerit points will now be introduced on 1 March 2005, one month later than originally planned. This will allow more time to develop a major publicity campaign to educate the community about the upcoming changes.
Mr Scully said the new system of fines and demerits will promote better road safety outcomes and streamline what is currently a complex penalty scheme
Re: NSW: Increase in fines and now Demerits for parking offences
oh i so cant wait till Bracks catches on to this idea!!! wow even MORE revenue for his greedy pockets.
and since when is parking considered safe driving?
a better system would be to heavily fine and demerit people that feel the need to slam their car doors into other peoples car doors in shopping centres and car parks. thats something i would support.
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Re: NSW: Increase in fines and now Demerits for parking offences
hang one a minute, maby if they created wider car parks then the people who actually give a shit about there cars wont take up 2 space's because of the cars next to them whos owners really dont care...
and taking demerit points from parking offences probably wouldnt hold up in court if fought hard enough, but whos got the time!!!
Re: NSW: Increase in fines and now Demerits for parking offences
Usual State Labour Tactics, threaten lots, retract some of it, whip up a P-Plate frenzy and you can slip all your revenue hikes through over christmas almost unnoticed. Like the Hike in M1 Tolls. Will be $11.60 per day for gridlocked trip into and out of the city. Bastards - no incompetent bastards!!!
Re: NSW: Increase in fines and now Demerits for parking offences
I agreed in principle to SOME of the proposals - Sydney has gotten to a point where people just park in downright dangerous places as they cant be bothered to look for a spot (this is councils lack of planning, still dosn't make it right though).
I beleive the taxi drivers were responsible for scrapping the points on double parking and bus zones as it would have impacted them big time.
It is a shame though about the bus stops/zones - The government constantly bleats on about how we need to give more priority to public transport then scraps a small point of the new legislation that would have really helped the buses.
Double standards all the way.
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NSW: Increase in fines and now Demerits for parking offences
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