Al-anwar Newspaper English news in Australia
NSW Labor has described the Coalition’s promise to wipe minor fines for good drivers as the “world’s fastest U-turn”, a day after the government criticised Labor’s plan to reward safe motorists by returning their demerit points.
Labor leader Chris Minns also wouldn’t rule out adopting Premier Dominic Perrottet’s policy alongside his party’s pledge to reimburse drivers a demerit point every 12 months if they didn’t break road rules.
The Coalition’s plan, which would waive fines for minor driving infringements if they have a clean record for the previous three years, was revealed Wednesday.
Mr Minns said he would “potentially” look at adopting the Premier’s plan, in a combo which could see fines waived and demerit points reimbursed for safe drivers.
“We want to make sure their policy is rigorous and that it works,” he said.
In 2021, 227,500 fines for low level offences were given to motorists with a three-year clean driving record, amounting to more than $39 million.
Other offences for which drivers would be eligible to escape fines include failing to stop at a stop line, not displaying L or P plates, or seatbelt offences where the unrestrained person is a single passenger older than 16. School zone, heavy vehicle, red light, mobile phone and speeding offences above 10km per hour will not be eligible for the fine waiver given the serious safety risks involved.
The scheme will start on April 3, just over a week after the March 25 election.
It was billed yesterday as a cost of living relief measure which will also make our roads safer.
“For those motorists who have a history of safe driving, this initiative will save them potentially hundreds of dollars if they commit a minor road offence,” Mr Perrottet told the Telegraph.
Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward said the promise will deliver real hip pocket relief to safe drivers.
“This Liberal and Nationals policy rewards good drivers and provides a real incentive to put safety first, unlike Labor’s policy which focuses on helping serial offenders at risk of losing their licence,” she said.
