For those who don’t live in South Oz (count yourself lucky) a “creeper” is that most lethal of all drivers who exceed the posted limit by 4 or 5 kmh. I think…..
South Australia's new speeding laws aim to curb creepers
THE Motor Accident Commission says changes to speeding laws will target repeat offenders who are more concerned by demerits than fines.
This week, the Government announced the lowest level speeding offence expiation fee will fall from $260 to $150 but will now attract a loss of two demerit points.
The fine for the highest speeding offence, exceeding the speed limit by 45km/h or more, rises from the previous $671 to $900 plus a loss of nine demerit points.
Ben Tuffnell, the Motor Accident Commission's general manager of corporate affairs, said the new penalties were more likely to be an effective deterrent to speeding because of the threat of drivers losing their licence with the accumulation of extra demerit points.
"Drivers who can afford to pay expiation fees are more likely to be deterred by the possibility that the accumulation of demerit points will lead to a loss of licence," Mr Tuffnell said.
"Adding extra demerit points to the penalty means 'creepers' and repeat offenders will lose their licence more quickly."
He said of all the drivers and riders who were responsible for fatal crashes in 2011, 78 per cent had at least one previous driving offence, of which the majority of offences were speeding and drink driving.
So what has this to do with people who occasionally exceed a limit by 5ks? Is speeding exceeding the posted limit or driving at a dangerous speed?
Road Safety Minister Jennifer Rankine said a reduction of 5km/h in average travel speed would reduce rural casualty crashes by about 30 per cent and urban crashes by about 25 per cent.
Prove it.
"Speed is a critical factor in every serious crash and speeding was identified as a contributing factor in an estimated 36 per cent of fatal crashes in the past three years," Ms Rankine said.
Again, what is speed?
Acting Officer in Charge Traffic Support Branch Inspector Stuart McLean said the state's rural roads continued to be over represented in fatal crashes.
Where again “creeping” may manifest itself as doing 110kmh in a 100 zone. I would imagine these fatalities have nothing to do with that but they will never tell us.
"In 2011, 59 per cent of fatalities occurred on rural roads; this year 27 lives have been lost on rural roads," Insp McLean said.
Not in the metropolitan area where most of the speed traps are.
"Forty-three people have died on South Australian roads so far this year, while this is less than at
Failing to wear a seat belt was a key factor in many rural fatalities with 50 per cent of drivers and passengers who died in 2011 not wearing a seat belt.
So what has this to do with doing 110kmh in a 100 zone. You will probably die doing 60 in a 100 zone with no seatbelt.
Police estimate 72 per cent of fatal rural crashes are caused by driver distraction.
So not caused by doing 110kmh in a 100 zone.
"Distraction takes many forms including using a mobile phone, changing music, fatigue or simply being distracted by others in the vehicle. It only takes a second to be distracted, and sadly it only takes a second to die."
Agreed. This laws does nothing about that.