ROAD TOLL

Mr VENNING (Schubert) (12:59): I seek leave to move Notice of Motion, Private Members Business, Other Motions No. 2 in an amended form.

Leave granted.

Mr VENNING: I move:

That this house—

(a) notes with concern, the continuing road toll in South Australia and urges a full investigation into the reasons and causes why so many South Australians are losing their lives;

(b) instructs the government to publish statistics to indicate to what degree road conditions, speeding, alcohol, drugs, fatigue, age profiles of drivers and the type of vehicle contribute to these accidents and fatalities; and

(c) condemns the government for taking credit for the previously reduced road toll in 2008 and for failing to take effective measures to curb it further.

I note the people in the gallery today, which I know is out of order, but a good friend of mine is up there in Mr Michelmore, who is very strong in this matter in relation to road deaths, and I certainly welcome him to the house today. I will continue with this motion knowing that I do not have much time. The current road toll for South Australia is 67, one less than the number of fatalities that had occurred by this time last year. While it is good that the road toll has not increased compared to last year, it is unacceptable that it remains far too high and it needs to be reduced. Motor Accident Commission spokesman, Ben Tuffnell, predicts that, at the current rate, the road toll will reach 110 or 120 by the end of the year. This is too many lives to be lost on our roads this year. I seek leave to continue my remarks.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.

[Sitting suspended from 13:01 to 14:00]