6 May 2009: Queensland: Time to make all road users accountable ...

[ozbob]

Media Release 6 May 2009

Queensland:  Time to make all road users accountable for their actions

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 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.

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.  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 present penalties are nothing short of a joke; $300 fine and the loss of 3 demerit points (2).   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."

"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.transport.qld.gov.au/resources/file/eb2774458c0db56/Pdf_demerit_point_schedule_january_2009.pdf

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ButFli]

The current penalty might be enough if it is regularly enforced. I'd be very interested to know how often people are fined for not stopping at a level crossing. The penalties for pirating music are huge but it doesn't stop anyone because it is almost never enforced.

If we can afford to have police standing next to a busy road with a speed camera we can afford to have them sit next to a level crossing once in a while. If people knew there was at least some possibility they would be caught they would think twice about doing it. $300 and 3 demerit points is a lot of money.

[Jon Bryant]

A study last year in the US (http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/60424/1/100969.pdf) showed that reductions in annual vehicle miles traveled significantly reduce the number of road fatalities.  For every 10% reduction in miles traveled resulted in a 20-40% decrease in fatalities.  More so than any other investment made to reduce road deaths including  bigger and better roads. These roads whilst reducing the crashes per mile traveled ended up increased the overall miles traveled.  It also showed that slower speeds also helped to significantly reduce fatalities. 

[ButFli]

Alright, let's tax the f&%^ out of petrol!

[Jon Bryant]

Peak Oil will increase the cost of petrol quicker than any tax increase and there are other ways to reduce the amount people drive.  However the reduction is achieved the outcomes are amazing.  Can you imagine 1000 less deaths a year and the reduce impact on their families.