Media Statements: Statements http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/Date Descending.aspx RSS feed for the Statements list. Department of the Premier and Cabinet Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:31:22 GMT Windows SharePoint Services V3 RSS Generator 60 Media Statements: Statements /_layouts/images/homepage.gif http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/Date Descending.aspx New road safety chair for WA http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132336 Content:

World-renowned public health expert Professor D’Arcy Holman will be the new independent chair of the WA Road Safety Council, Road Safety Minister Rob Johnson announced today.

 

Current chairman Grant Dorrington, who has guided the council in the role since it was established 12 years ago, will continue in the position until Professor Holman formally begins in November.

 

Professor Holman, who is the Chair in Public Health at The University of Western Australia’s School of Population Health, has professional commitments over the next three months.

 

“As the Minister responsible for road safety, I am thrilled that we have managed to secure the services of a new chairperson with Professor Holman’s abilities and professional standing,” Mr Johnson said.

 

“Professor Holman is recognised around the world for his expertise in public health and has already shown to me that he has a remarkable insight into complex issues such as road safety.”

 

The Minister said Mr Dorrington had taken on a monumental task as the inaugural chair of the council and had done an outstanding job in raising the profile of a problem which affected all Western Australians.

 

“For the past 12 years, Mr Dorrington has shown an unwavering commitment to improving road safety in WA,” he said.

 

“He has firmly established the importance of the Independent Chair in ensuring thorough consideration and implementation of road safety initiatives in this State.

 

“His personal commitment to road safety has been remarkable and he can take great pride in knowing that his efforts have helped shaped crucial policy which has ultimately saved lives and prevented injuries on our roads.

 

“I want to thank Mr Dorrington for his selfless efforts and for the time I know he has devoted to such an important cause.”

 

Mr Dorrington took on the position at a time when the annual fatality rate on WA roads was 14.1 deaths per 100,000 people.  Last year, that figure was 9.62 per 100,000.

 

“Clearly there is much more work to be done, but road safety is a journey for the entire community and I am confident Professor Holman is the best person to help us meet the challenges ahead,” Mr Johnson said.

 

The Minister said Professor Holman would help drive the State’s Towards Zero 12-year road safety strategy in WA.

 

“Road trauma places a huge burden on our community - for every one death, there are about 15 serious injuries, which costs about $2.4billion every year, not to mention the ongoing emotional costs for those injured and their loved ones,” he said.

 

“Towards Zero is based on the safe system approach to road safety, aiming to create a forgiving road network with safe drivers travelling in safe vehicles at safe speeds on safe roads.

 

“Professor Holman has the experience, qualifications and the personal commitment to take on this important role.

  

“His career has spanned leadership positions across the academic, government, community and private sectors. 

 

“In 2006, he received the Sydney Sax Public Health Medal - the nation’s highest professional award for protecting and advancing the health of the Australian public.

 

“Finding a Chair to succeed Mr Dorrington has been a long, thorough and extensive process.

 

“I believe we are very lucky to have attracted such a quality field and in Professor Holman, we have found someone who can further advance road safety as the very serious public health issue that it is.”

 

Minister's office - 9222 9211
Date: 9/08/2009
Minister: Johnson
Portfolio: Road Safety
Region: Eastern Metropolitan;Northern Metro & Perth CBD;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs
]]> Antartis, Jill Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:57:05 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132336 Minister flags nation’s toughest anti-hoon laws http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132053 Content:

Western Australia will soon have the nation’s toughest anti-hoon laws after Police and Road Safety Minister Rob Johnson today announced he would introduce new legislation to Parliament this week.

 

Mr Johnson said the Road Traffic Amendment (Hoons) Bill 2009 would increase the period a vehicle was impounded from seven days to 28 for a first hoon offence and from 28 days to three months for a second offence.

 

The Minister said on a third and subsequent offence, a vehicle would be confiscated and proceeds from its sale would go to road safety projects. Vehicles of little value would be crushed.

 

“I pledged at the election to toughen the State’s hoon laws to make our roads safer and today I am honouring that promise,” Mr Johnson said.

 

“While most drivers do the right thing and use our roads responsibly, there are some who continue to snub their nose at the law and at the safety of others. My message to them is that they will be caught and they will lose their vehicle.

 

“People who repeatedly drive recklessly put lives at risk do not deserve to be on our roads.”

 

Under the new legislation, reckless driving will be considered a hoon offence, with police not having to establish a circumstance of aggravation, such as racing, excessive noise or burnouts.

 

There will also be severe penalties for people who deface or devalue a vehicle after being served with a notice of intention to confiscate. This will cover situations where a person strips or damages their vehicle knowing it is about to be impounded or confiscated.

 

The Bill will give police power to arrest offenders for reckless driving - similar to the provision for arrest without warrant that currently exists for driving under the influence.

 

Mr Johnson said the Police Commissioner would also be able to recover costs from offenders for towage and storage.

 

From July 1 this year, there will be vehicle sanctions for unlicensed drivers. Under the new laws, if a person is detected driving without a valid licence, WA Police will impound the vehicle driven on the spot for 28 days. 

 

A court can impound a vehicle owned by second-time offender for up to 3 months and in the case of a third offence, a court can confiscate the offender’s vehicle.

 

Mr Johnson said that unlicensed drivers posed an unacceptable risk on the road and were highly over-represented in road trauma statistics.

 

The Government has set up a new Demerit Point Hotline on 1300 720 111 to enable people to check their current demerit point status.

 

A print and radio campaign outlining the new laws begins this week. For more information, visit http://www.ors.wa.gov.au/

 

Minister's office  - 9222 9211
Date: 16/06/2009
Minister: Johnson
Portfolio: Police;Road Safety
Region: Eastern Metropolitan;Gascoyne;Goldfields/Esperance;Great Southern;Kimberley;Mid West;Northern Metro & Perth CBD;Peel;Pilbara;South Eastern Suburbs;South West;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs;Wheatbelt
]]> Antartis, Jill Tue, 16 Jun 2009 06:43:31 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132053 Stars on cars to give WA vehicles a safety check http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=131916 Content:

In an Australian first, safety rating stickers will be placed on cars at dealerships across the State in a bid to reduce death and serious injury on Western Australian roads.

 

Road Safety Minister Rob Johnson said he encouraged car dealers to support the State-wide rollout of the nation’s first Stars on Cars program, a joint initiative of the State Government and the RAC.

 

Mr Johnson said estimates showed if people bought the safest car in their desired class, overall vehicle safety across Australia would improve by 26 per cent.

 

The Minister said if all new cars had the equivalent safety features as the safest vehicle in their class, death and serious injury could be reduced by up to 40 per cent.

 

“This is just the start of what is promising to be a very important program influencing car safety in WA and ultimately improving the safety of all road users,” he said.

 

“The program was trialled for six months at 12 dealerships across the State, which displayed swing tags and stickers on car windscreens to indicate the vehicle’s safety rating based on the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) ratings.

 

“Research of the trial showed that five per cent of consumers changed their mind on their vehicle purchase as a result of the safety ratings and 86 per cent of people in the market for a new car said the safety information would be useful.

 

“Additionally, 15 per cent of consumers said they recalled seeing the Stars on Cars indicator and said it positively impacted their choices by narrowing options or reaffirming final choices.”

 

The safety rating stickers are similar to energy rating stickers on whitegoods.

 

RAC General Manager Membership and Retail, Michael Heath, said the Stars on Cars initiative would empower consumers and increase safety on WA roads.

 

“Most of us believe if we buy a new vehicle it has to be safe, yet we often don’t recognise that some vehicles within the same budget offer better protection and more safety features than others,” Mr Heath said.

 

“The Stars on Cars initiative will give the WA community access to the information they need at the point of sale to make an educated decision about the car they buy.

 

“The RAC encourages those dealers who are not yet participating in the Stars on Cars program to consider the growing consumer demand for vehicle safety information and share the responsibility for saving lives on our roads.”

 

In line with the State’s road safety strategy, Towards Zero, the Safer Vehicles campaign, including the Stars on Cars initiative, focuses on safety features that both prevent the incidence of a crash and in the event of a crash. These features include Electronic Stability Control (ESC), side curtain airbags, active head restraints, seatbelt reminder systems and Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA).

 

“If more consumers bought ANCAP-tested cars with four or five safety stars, not only would lives be saved and the number of serious injuries significantly reduced, we should also see manufacturers become obliged to include more vehicle safety features to achieve higher star ratings,” Mr Johnson said.

 

“While people are still dying and being seriously injured on our roads, which costs the Western Australian community more than $2.6billion a year, we all need to continue to work together to ensure more is done.”

 

Further details on ANCAP testing and the current ratings can be found at http://www.rac.com.au

 

Minister's office - 9222 9211
Date: 22/05/2009
Minister: Johnson
Portfolio: Road Safety
Region: Eastern Metropolitan;Gascoyne;Goldfields/Esperance;Great Southern;Kimberley;Mid West;Northern Metro & Perth CBD;Peel;Pilbara;South Eastern Suburbs;South West;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs;Wheatbelt
]]> Antartis, Jill Fri, 22 May 2009 01:37:59 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=131916 Media response - Enhanced speed enforcement committee http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=131955 Content:

Questions asked by:  The West Australian

 

Subject:  Enhanced speed enforcement committee

 

Question:

The committee’s terms of reference on the ORS website says it was formed in November 2007 with the main aim to: “develop a business case for Government. Once the business case is developed and recommendations made regarding coordination, implementation, monitoring and reporting the committee will cease”.

 

Iain Cameron says that the committee has now ceased without having developed a business plan.

 

He says that the committee has given policy advice to the Minister, who has now has asked that Police take over the role of leading “a cross-agency process to develop a business case determining the most appropriate and effective allocation of this Enhanced Speed Enforcement funding”.

 

It has been repeatedly stated by the Minister and Mr Cameron that the committee was expected to fulfil its responsibilities by June, yet weeks away from that date it has shifted its core responsibility, the development of a business case, on to the police.

 

1. Why has the Minister ceased the committee before it has achieved its stated aim?

2. Why has the committee failed to produce its stated aim, a business case, after 18 months?

3. Why has the minister shifted this core responsibility on to the police?

4. Can the Minister guarantee that all the current wet-film speed cameras will be replaced by digital speed cameras, fully operational on WA roads, by the end of the year?

5. Can the Minister guarantee that we will have more than the current number of multanovas – 25 - fully operational on WA roads by the start of the 2010-11 financial year?

6. The Minister has vowed to at least double the number of speed cameras on WA roads. What is the timeline for this being achieved?

 

Minister's Response:

“The committee has not failed to achieve its aims. Its primary role was to coordinate and develop a strategy to enhance speed enforcement on WA roads and it has achieved that,” Mr Johnson said.

 

“Neither have I “shifted the responsibility” for a business case to WA Police. Funding for enhancing speed and red light camera operations has only just been announced in the Budget.

 

“The police must now therefore prepare a business case on how those funds are spent. It would therefore be irresponsible to commit to specific timeframes or numbers at this time.

 

“However, as I have said, it is my intention to at least double numbers of speed and red light cameras. I will give you an undertaking that speed and red light camera operations will be greatly enhanced and this will happen sooner rather than later and ultimately make our roads much safer.”

 

Minister's office - 9222 9211

Date: 21/05/2009
Minister: Johnson
Portfolio: Road Safety
Region: Northern Metro & Perth CBD;Eastern Metropolitan;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs
]]> Antartis, Jill Thu, 28 May 2009 05:31:38 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=131955 Media response - Office of Road Safety budget http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=131956 Content:
Questions asked by:  The West Australian
 
Subject: Office of Road Safety budget
 
Question 1:

The budget papers show that the ORS budget for 2009-10 is $16million, which is then reduced to just $6million for the following two financial years and $5million for 20012-13.

Question 2:

Why has the Government slashed the funding to the ORS?

 

Minister's Response:

It is not a slashing of the Office of Road Safety’s funds. Basically, the Road Safety Council can choose to fund certain projects which are outside of ORS’s core business. They apply for grants through Treasury and the usual amount is between $5million-$6million. However, this amount may be higher if there are specific programs the Council wants to fund.

 

2009-10 is an example of this and is what ORS would describe as an anomaly as the figure of $16million is much higher than their usual grant amount. Of that $16million, $7million is for the last instalment of the Safer Roads funding that went to Main Roads and $3million will go towards funding for a safety barrier pilot program. The following years (2010-2012) the funding amounts go back to their usual levels(ie. between $5million and $6million).
 
Minister's office - 9222 9211
Date: 21/05/2009
Minister: Johnson
Portfolio: Road Safety
Region: Eastern Metropolitan;Northern Metro & Perth CBD;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs
]]> Antartis, Jill Thu, 28 May 2009 06:02:15 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=131956 Media response - Speed Cameras http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=131943 Content:

Questions asked by: The West Australian

 

Subject: Speed and red light cameras:

 

The RAC says that the Government will get an extra $198 million from speed and red light cameras over four years. It seems to have taken this from both the extra revenue directly attributed to speed and red light fines and some fines revenue accounted for in the DPC Budget.

 

Question 1.

How many extra speed and red light cameras will be purchased with the $30 million (how many of each, what is the net gain taking into account any cameras that need to be replaced and what will this bring the total number of cameras to?)

 

Question 2.

How many extra fines will be issued in each of the four years in the Budget?

 

Question 3.

What is the total revenue that will be generated in each of the four years from speed and red light cameras?

 

Question 4.

What is the EXTRA revenue that will be generated from the additional cameras in each of the four years?

 

Question 5.

What is the funding that will go to the RTTF in each of the four years? The RAC says while the revenue to the road safety fund will increase, it will become less than a third of the revenue and this is "milking" the cameras for general revenue raising.

 

Minister's Response:

“WA Police are currently preparing a business case regarding speed and red light cameras and the options for any eventual mix and numbers will be clearer once that business case is completed.

 

“It is therefore impossible to determine how many cameras will be purchased at this stage, or how many extra fines would be likely.

 

“While it is understood that additional revenue will be raised in the out years as identified in the Budget, it must be recognised that these are assumptions.

 

“While fines from additional speed cameras will initially see increases in revenue, experience from other jurisdictions has shown that ultimately revenues decrease as drivers start to comply with speed limits -which is obviously the main aim of the cameras.

 

“As I have always said, the RTTF will continue to get a third of the money from speed and red light cameras - which means at the very least we can expect record levels of funding for road safety in WA over the forward estimates.

 

“The RTTF will also be even further boosted from funds raised by the sale of confiscated vehicles.”

Date: 15/05/2009
Minister: Johnson
Portfolio: Road Safety
Region: Northern Metro & Perth CBD;Eastern Metropolitan;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs
]]> Antartis, Jill Thu, 28 May 2009 02:42:37 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=131943 Media response - Drug driving report http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=131944 Content:
Questions asked by:  The Sunday Times
 
Subject:  Drug driving report
 

On May 12, the Minister tabled a review of drug driving laws. The tabling statement doesn't discuss issues raised but only says the drug testing regime remains a "challenge for WA police”.

 

But despite what the West said today, the report recommends that drug driving testing not be widely rolled out; recommending on pp47 "That a general rollout not be performed at this point of time".

 

Question 1:

Is the Minister concerned that there are problems with the performance of the Cozart drug detection system failing to detect drugs (PP46 par 3 and 4)?

Question 2:

What percentage failure has there been?

Question 3.

Why have there only been five cases in court?

 

Minister's Response:

“Western Australia was one of the first five jurisdictions in the world to introduce random drugs testing of drivers.

 

“When the legislation for this was introduced, it was agreed that an independent review of the testing be carried out and tabled in parliament within 18 months.

 

“That review has now been tabled and it highlights a number of issues to help improve the process.

 

“Now that the report has been tabled, it will also be distributed amongst relevant government authorities, including the WA Police, for comment. Once this has taken place, the Road Safety Council will then make recommendations to the government for responding to these issues.

 

“With regard to Cozart tests, the review notes that new, more sensitive testing kits have been made available but it should be noted that WA is the only Australian jurisdiction which sends both positive and negative samples for further testing to the laboratory.

 

“This is new technology and there are obviously issues to be resolved. But I am delighted WA is at the forefront in tackling this growing problem on our roads.”

 

Minister's office - 9222 9211

Date: 15/05/2009
Minister: Johnson
Portfolio: Road Safety
Region: Northern Metro & Perth CBD;Eastern Metropolitan;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs;South West
]]> Antartis, Jill Thu, 28 May 2009 02:59:22 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=131944 Media response - Speed Cameras http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=131945 Content:

Questions asked by:  The Sunday Times

 

Subject:  Speed cameras

 

In opposition the Liberals made a key promise: That in government they would legislate to ensure that all revenue from speed camera and red light camera fines be directed into the Road Safety Council's Road Trauma Fund.

 

Yesterday, the minister announced direct funding to the fund at only $12.5million in 2009-10. They have not even met the previous government's total of $15million a year.

 

Question 1:

Can the minister please comment on this.

Question 2:

Can I also have the estimated revenues of the new cameras and how many cameras are going to be purchased?

Question 3:

Is the minister still looking at privatising infringement services as well as privatising speed camera operations?

 

Minister's Response:

“Contrary to your suggestion, this was not a pre-election promise of the State Government. However, the current Government pledges 100 per cent commitment to improving road safety - and we will.

 

“The Road Trauma Trust Fund is only one small part of total Government funding to road safety.  Recent figures show the total Government spend on road safety at about $280million, including funding to police enforcement.

 

“WA Police are currently preparing a business case regarding speed and red light cameras and the options for any eventual mix and numbers will be clearer once that business case is completed.

 

“The business case will also examine potential alternative public and private providers for speed camera and infringement processing related services.

 

“It is therefore impossible to determine how many cameras will be purchased at this stage, or how many extra fines would be likely.

 

“While fines from additional speed cameras will initially see increases in revenue, experience from other jurisdictions has shown that ultimately revenues decrease as drivers start to comply with speed limits - which is obviously the main aim of the cameras.

 

“As I have always said, the RTTF will continue to get a third of the money from speed and red light cameras - which means at the very least we can expect record levels of funding for road safety in WA over the forward estimates.

 

“The RTTF will also be even further boosted from funds raised by the sale of confiscated vehicles.”

 

Minister's office - 9222 9211

Date: 15/05/2009
Minister: Johnson
Portfolio: Road Safety
Region: Northern Metro & Perth CBD;Eastern Metropolitan;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs
]]> Antartis, Jill Thu, 28 May 2009 03:08:53 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=131945 State Budget 2009-10: Police and Emergency Services; Road Safety. http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=131840 Content:

The State Government will continue to protect the people of Western Australia both today and tomorrow with a series of Budget initiatives to bolster law and order, Police and Emergency Services Minister Rob Johnson said today.

 

The Minister said the State Government would fulfil its election pledge to boost police ranks with $208.5million in recurrent funding - beginning in 2009-10 and continuing over the forward estimates - for an additional 500 officers and 200 support staff.

 

“This Government honours its promise to make law and order a top priority,” Mr Johnson said.

 

“This funding will allow us to employ 350 police officers and 150 auxiliary police officers as well as a further 200 administrative and expert civilian staff to support them.

 

“The Police Commissioner is delighted with this mix of staff which he has told me will give him the flexibility he needs to further improve policing services.”

 

The Minister said employing extra officers demonstrated the Government’s action in preserving jobs while supporting and protecting the broader community.

 

Mr Johnson said the Government was providing police with the necessary tools to carry out their work and the Budget recognised this with a $47.5million commitment to expand the Perth Metropolitan Radio Network.

 

“This funding will extend existing radio and mobile data communications north to Lancelin, east to Northam and south to Dunsborough,” he said.

 

“This upgrade will improve police response times within the area; increase the accessibility of information which is important to police; and improve the security of our officers through vehicle location tracking and encrypted voice communications.”

 

The Minister said the planned Perth Police Complex in Northbridge would begin construction in the 2009-10 financial year.

 

“Work on this complex is now free to start, which means we will have an enhanced policing and community safety services in this potential hot-spot, as well as helping to secure jobs with this major capital works investment,” he said.

 

Mr Johnson said the Government’s aim to improve road safety was evident with a $30million allocation in 2009-10 to purchase digital speed and red light cameras as part of the implementation plan for the Towards Zero road safety strategy.

 

“This will not only help save lives and prevent serious injuries on our roads, but the greater efficiency of these machines will free more police for front-line duties,” he said.

 

While direct funding to the Road Trauma Trust Fund (RTTF) from speed and red light cameras is expected to fall to $12.5million in 2009-10, this will be more than offset by a massive boost to funding from the new cameras in the forward estimates.

 

“The additional revenue from the cameras is expected to boost the money going to the RTTF by a minimum of $17million over each of the forward estimate years,”

Mr Johnson said.

 

“This will be a massive boost to road safety in our State - the highest ever level of funding to the RTTF - and shows this Government is serious about saving lives and preventing injuries on our roads.”

 

Other key policing initiatives of the State Budget include:

  • $8million in recurrent funding over the forward estimates - with $2million in
    2009-10 to re-open country police stations in Cranbrook, Dumbleyung and Wickepin
  • $34million over the forward estimates to build new and replacement police stations, including:Mt Magnet; Fitzroy Crossing; South Metropolitan Region Police Station.

Mr Johnson said the Budget for WA Police had increased to $950million in 2009-10 - up 3.6 per cent from the 2008-09 estimated outturn.

 

“While we are making tough financial decisions to help safeguard our financial future, we are not in any way sacrificing community safety,” he said.

 

“The Government found greater efficiencies and, in doing so, not only maintained police services but improved them.”

 

The Minister said there were also significant developments in the Fire and Emergency Services portfolio which included:

  • FESA’s budget for 2009-10 is $233 million - an increase of $20.9million on 2008-09
  • the green light for FESA to continue construction of a new $51.6million emergency services headquarters in Cockburn Central with $29.7million allocated for the first phase and completion expected in 2010
  • $3.2million for the completion of the Career Fire and Rescue Service station in Ellenbrook with the opening planned for early 2010
  • an additional $6.5million during the next four years ($1.9million in 2009-10) for the 33 Regional Volunteer Marine Rescue Service groups across the State
  • $6.72million between 2009-10 and 2012-13 ($2.5million in 2009-10) to continue the upgrade of personal protective clothing for firefighters.

 

WA Budget statements are available at http://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au/

 

Minister's office  - 9222 9211
Date: 14/05/2009
Minister: Johnson
Portfolio: Emergency Services;Police;Road Safety
Region: Northern Metro & Perth CBD;Eastern Metropolitan;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs;Kimberley;Gascoyne;Goldfields/Esperance;Great Southern;Mid West;Peel;Pilbara;South West;Wheatbelt
]]> Antartis, Jill Thu, 14 May 2009 07:07:12 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=131840 Media response - repeat drink-drivers http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=131745 Content:
Questions asked by:  The West Australian
 
Subject:  repeat drink-drivers
 
Minister's response:
 

"While I am not at liberty to comment about specific cases which may be before the courts, I can make some general comments about repeat drink-driving.

 

"By now, we are all aware that driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a potentially lethal offence.

 

"Our road toll is high enough without idiots thinking they are above the law and continuing to put not only their own lives, but the lives of other innocent road users at risk by driving when they shouldn’t.

 

"Under our new anti-hoon laws, anyone who commits a third “hooning” offence - and this could potentially include serial drink-drivers - will have their car confiscated.

 

"I have also flagged laws which will see a lifetime driving ban on anyone who kills someone while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs as well as mandatory roadside suspension of licences for drivers who go over the legal blood-alcohol limit.

 

"We are also investigating a repeat drink-driving strategy which could ultimately see the use of alcohol-interlocks in vehicles owned by drink-drivers."

 

Minister's office - 9222 9211

Date: 27/04/2009
Minister: Johnson
Portfolio: Police;Road Safety
Region: Eastern Metropolitan;Northern Metro & Perth CBD;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs
]]> Antartis, Jill Tue, 28 Apr 2009 02:41:33 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=131745