9 May 2009: Queensland: It is time - call for automatic licence suspension ...

[ozbob]

Media Release 9 May 2009

Queensland:  It is time - call for automatic licence suspension for level crossing breaches.

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has previously called for more passenger and freight rail services to help stop the slaughter on Australia's roads.  Strict enforcement of road safety rules at level crossings and increased penalties for breaches are also needed.   Queensland motorists are incapable of following simple directions to stop at level crossings.  Time to get serious, the costs in terms of loss of life, injury and economic costs and disruptions are no longer acceptable.  Does anyone have the courage to act?

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"In Australia during 2007 there were 1616 road fatalities compared to 37 rail related (1)."

"Over the Labor day weekend more slaughter and mayhem has occurred on Queensland's roads and it continues sadly.  Clearly there is a failure of road safety of major proportions.  The costs to the community in terms of deaths and injuries are enormous.  Present policies are clearly failing."

"RAIL Back On Track is particularly concerned with the flippant disregard of road rules by road vehicle drivers at level crossings."

"The Courier Mail has reported that 'Figures released to The Courier-Mail show motorists are increasingly running the gauntlet at level crossings. There were 53 collisions with boom gates during the first three months of this year - a rate of four a week'(2)."

"The present penalties are nothing short of a joke; $300 fine and the loss of 3 demerit points (3).   This needs to be changed to automatic license suspension for failing to stop as directed at level crossings.  Nothing less is going to force drivers to stop."

"Additionally there should be cost recovery from offenders."

"As a community we must encourage the expansion of rail passenger and freight services.  We are clearly not able to stop the carnage on the roads.  We must therefore return to safe transport modes."

References:

1.  http://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/39/Files/ATS_2008.pdf page 22
2.  http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25449277-3102,00.html
3.  http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/resources/file/eb2774458c0db56/Pdf_demerit_point_schedule_january_2009.pdf

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org