The roadway reforms which have been introduced this month have transformed Australia s road safety landscape. New regulations include harsher penalties for reckless driving, increased fines for speeding in school zones, and distracted driving. Authorities have attributed these changes to the rising number of road incidents. The revised rules, according to the authorities, balance education and deterrence.
Distracted Driving Under the Spotlight
Using mobile phones while driving has been brought to the forefront of ongoing discussions due to the stricter regulations which have been imposed. In New South Wales, for example, drivers who look at their phones face fines of over six hundred dollars and are awarded five demerit points. These changes are also taking place in Queensland, with changes made for habitual offenders risking the loss of their driving licenses.
Sensitive Areas with a Speed Limit
The sensitive areas continue to be a significant focus. The fines for speeding in school zones have changed as a new policy in different states. In Victoria, drivers exceeding 10km/h more than the school zone speed limit will be fined more than $500 alongside demerit points.
DUI Fines Toughened
Drivers are facing more severe penalties under alcohol and drug enforcement. Enforcement will still rest on random breath and saliva tests, but fines will now be greater than before. First offenders will face penalties over $1,200 in South Australia, while repeat offenders will face immediate license suspension. There are jurisdictions that seek to expand mandatory vehicle interlock laws, limiting the ability of habitual offenders to drive freely without restrictions.
Push for Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety
Notably, the reforms extend further than the drivers. New protective measures have been made for pedestrians and cyclists, including steep fines for not yielding at crosswalks and for overtaking cyclists too closely.
The new regulations require a minimum distance of one meter for cyclists in areas with speeds less than 60 kilometers per hour, and 1.5 meters for higher speeds. Safety experts have argued that the changes are in line with the paradigm shift accepting that roads in Australia are not meant for cars only. The increase in the number of people cycling, and the new policies fostering walkability, motivated the authorities to extend the safeguards to non-motorists.
Public Reaction and Next Steps
The response has been varied among the public. While many people consider the changes to be overdue, others are most concerned with the fines being too harsh for the time of living in Australia. Enforcement agencies argued that the fines are intended to mitigate risky behavior rather than augment revenue.