Member for Terrigal, Mr Adam Crouch, has welcomed reforms to toughen sanctions on those who repeatedly ignore driver licence laws, while also providing incentives for disqualified drivers who demonstrate good behaviour.
Mr Crouch said under the new laws, NSW Police will have extra powers to confiscate, on-the-spot, the number plates or cars of repeat offenders, for three to six months.
“It is expected the reforms will reduce unauthorised driving and repeat offending,” Mr Crouch said.
“The reforms introduce new ways for rehabilitating disqualified drivers who can demonstrate their commitment to lawful behaviour by remaining compliant with their disqualification period,” Mr Crouch said.
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Ms Melinda Pavey, said tough penalties will continue to apply for very serious driving offences, like drink and drug driving.
“The laws will make disqualification periods and penalties for unauthorised driving offences more proportionate with other driving offences, while keeping road safety front and centre,” she added.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Ms Sarah Mitchell, said lengthy disqualification periods, which can currently exceed 10 years, are often ineffective because they have been found to offer no incentive to disqualified drivers to comply with their penalty.
“This change will encourage a return to lawful driving, as opposed to the current laws that disproportionally affect the disadvantaged, including Aboriginal people,” she said.
Eligible people will still need to apply to Roads and Maritime Services and complete standard road safety and knowledge tests to get their licence back.
Mr Crouch said the reforms put community safety front and centre.
“No one ever convicted of a driving offence involving death or serious injury would be eligible to have their disqualification period reduced under the scheme.
“Local police now have greater support of the law to deal with repeat offenders and dangerous drivers, to keep them off our roads, and smarter treatment of disqualified drivers who do the right thing,” Mr Crouch concluded.
Source:
Media release, Aug 14
Donna Golightly, office of Adam Crouch