Article: Transit lane offenders targeted, penalties boosted

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Transit lane offenders targeted, penalties boosted

Transit lane offenders targeted, penalties boosted
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Ursula Heger and Craig Johnstone

October 09, 2009 11:00pm

QUEENSLAND motorists who illegally use bus or transit lanes will be targeted under new laws which give transport officers the power to hand out hefty fines.

Under a trial to begin next year to tackle congestion, Queensland Transport's 170 officers will be able to hand out on-the-spot fines of $100 for motorists caught driving illegally in the state's 73 bus and transit lanes.

During a six-month trial starting early next year, the officers will be given special powers to pull over motorists caught driving in the high-occupancy lanes between 6am and 7pm on weekdays.

But the powers, previously held only by police officers, will be extended permanently if the trial is considered successful in reducing congestion.

The move comes as the Bligh Government has admitted that traffic congestion is costing Brisbane about $1.2 billion a year, a figure likely to rise to $3 billion a year within a decade.

The Government's roads implementation program, released by Roads Minister Craig Wallace yesterday, said extra traffic response units, an expanded heavy tow truck fleet and ongoing synchronisation of the city's 1400 sets of traffic lights should help to reduce congestion.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said the laws for transit and bus lanes were designed to reduce congestion on some of the state's biggest motorways.

"When used properly, high-occupancy vehicle lanes offer improved travel time and greater reliability for members of the community who choose a green travel option, such as car pooling or catching a bus," she said. "Unfortunately, some road users are continuing to ignore the restrictions that apply to high-occupancy vehicle lanes."

The laws, which have not yet been passed by Parliament, will also give Maritime Safety Queensland the power to direct ships with sick or infected passengers, after problems surrounding the swine flu-infected ship the Pacific Dawn earlier this year.

In the first six months of this year, 1272 people were fined for driving in transit or bus lanes, with more than 30,000 fines handed out since 2001.

A raft of new road laws for motorists, skateboarders and cyclists will come into effect for Queensland's motorists from Monday, including rules governing car restraints for children aged up to seven.

NEW RULES

? Children up to the age of seven must be restrained in an appropriate child seat. Fine $300, three demerit points.

? Passengers on a bicycle must only sit in a seat designated for passengers. Fine $40.

? Using fog lights during clear weather. Fine $40.

? Doing a u-turn over a single continuous centre line. Fine $180, three demerit points.

? Passengers of all ages must wear seatbelts. Fine $300, three demerit points.

? Drivers must use slip lanes where they are available at intersections unless there is an obstruction. Fine $60 and two demerit points.

? Bicycle passengers must wear helmets and are the responsibility of the rider. Fine $40.

? A wheeled recreational device (foot scooter or skateboard) cannot be used on a road with a speed limit above 50km/hr, or at night. Fine $40.

Source: Department of Transport and Main Roads

Additional reporting Peter Morley

--> Full list of transit and bus lanes External Link PDF

[ozbob]

From the Sunday Mail click here!

Deadly risk for inspectors

Deadly risk for inspectors
Article from: The Sunday Mail (Qld)

Kay Dibben

October 10, 2009 11:00pm

POLICE and Transport Workers Unions have accused the State Government of putting lives at risk by making transport inspectors pull over drivers in bus and transit lanes.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said lives could be lost because inspectors would be pulled away from dealing with truck drivers on highways.

Under a six-month trial to begin next year, Queensland Transport's 170 officers will hand out $100 on-the-spot fines to motorists driving illegally in bus and transit lanes.

They will have special power to pull over drivers in the lanes between 6am and 7pm on weekdays ? a power now held by police.

Mr Leavers branded the decision as "ludicrous" and he and Transport Workers' Union Queensland secretary Hughie Williams claimed it was revenue raising.

"They are trained as transport inspectors to police the heavy vehicle industry," Mr Leavers said. "They are not there for the congestion issue.

"We have seen too many times the tragedy on our roads because the heavy vehicle industry has not been policed properly."

[#Metro]

Surely they can photograph the offending vehicle and send the fine in the mail.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Leave transit lane enforcement to police: RACQ

Leave transit lane enforcement to police: RACQ
October 11, 2009 - 5:38PM

The RACQ has joined the chorus of disapproval in criticising the Queensland government's decision to use transport inspectors to police transit lanes.

RACQ's general manager for external relations Gary Fites says the state government's "thin grey line" of transport inspectors is already struggling to conduct sufficient roadside roadworthiness checks.

He says enforcing minimum vehicle occupancy numbers in transit lanes would compromise making sure cars and trucks are roadworthy.

"It's important that there's a 'anywhere at any time' perception among motorists regarding random roadworthiness checks," Mr Fites said.

"But there'll be even less chance of increasing that perception if transport inspectors have to become transit lane police as well.

"Such enforcement should be left to police officers."

Police and the Transport Workers Union have already said the state government is putting lives at risk by making transport inspectors pull over drivers in bus and transit lanes.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said the decision could cost lives as inspectors would be pulled away from dealing with truck drivers on highways.

State Transport Workers Union secretary Hughie Williams said the decision was a grab for cash.

Under a six-month trial in 2010, Queensland Transport's officers will hand out $100 on-the-spot fines to motorists driving illegally in bus and transit lanes.

AAP

[ozbob]

I am glad the hardest decision I have is what carriage today? on the way to and from the CBD ...