Pubdate: Tue, 03 Jan 2006
Source: Advertiser, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2006 Advertiser Newspapers Ltd
Contact:  http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1
Author: Mike Rann, State Premier
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?224 (Cannabis and Driving)

MORE POLICE AND A GREATER VISION FOR SAVING LIVES

WE'VE delivered more police than ever before, tougher  penalties for 
moronic dangerous drivers and an improved  licensing system for our 
young drivers.

When this Government came to office, there was no  vision for saving 
lives on SA roads.

We established the Road Safety Advisory Council,  appointing Sir Eric 
Neal as chair.

Assisted by police, safety and other groups, the  council has made 
some good suggestions.

We've toughened up drink driving laws and enforcement  for the first 
time in decades and anyone stupid enough  to drive over 0.08 BAC now 
loses their licence - on the  spot.

Almost 500 drivers have been caught in the past month,  some so drunk 
that they could barely stand, but they  still thought they could 
drive a car. No one can  legislate against stupidity.

We are the third jurisdiction in the world to legislate  for drug 
testing of drivers. For too long, people have  been killing 
themselves and others while influenced by  illicit drugs. Figures 
show 28 per cent of 2004 driver  fatalities were found to have 
cannabis or methamphetamine in their blood at the time of the  crash.

New excessive speed penalties also cause anyone caught  more than 45 
km/h over the limit to lose their licence  immediately, while 
hundreds of hoon drivers who  terrorise our neighbourhoods have had 
their cars impounded.

SA currently boasts the largest police force in its  history and our 
recruitment of an extra 200 police is  continuing.

In keeping with our Advisory Council's recommendations,  this year 
we've provided $1.54m to help police saturate  rural roads with 
enforcement campaigns.

We all have a road safety role as we work toward our  ambitious SA 
Strategic Plan target of reducing road  deaths by 40 per cent by 2010.

Our overhaul of the Graduated Licensing System now  forces novice 
drivers to get more experience behind the  wheel, spend more time on 
their L and P plates and  complete a computerised Hazard Perception Test.

We've also extended road safety lessons to younger  students in Years 
8 and 9, with road safety resources  helping children as young as 
kindergarten age.

On the roads, we're spending $266 million this year -  more than 
double what the Liberals did in their last  year.

That includes shoulder sealing, black spot  improvements, overtaking 
lanes and upgrades of  dangerous intersections.

We are also the first government to re-direct all  proceeds from 
speeding fines into new road safety  initiatives.

I'm proud of our record, but there is more to be done  and Labor will 
continue to work with the experts in  making SA roads safer.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom