Grievance Debate

ROAD SAFETY

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (15:14): This grievance speech is directed to the Minister for Road Safety. I commend the government for its efforts to improve road safety in this state and for expanding the MFS road awareness and accident prevention program. Also, today, the minister announced the fitness program for commercial vehicle drivers.

Education is more effective than penalties, restrictions, or even greater police presence. There is a need for practical training in all conditions, especially on our country roads. Training in regional areas should be tailored for regional areas in dealing with the poorer conditions of our roads, the longer trips that the country people take, the more freight traffic, the higher speed limits and the ever increasing amount of B-double traffic on our highways.

Recently, I attended a Road Safety Advisory Council meeting and the figures on the Murray Mallee 2000-09 were alarming. The Murray Mallee has 4 per cent of South Australia's population, but 11 per cent of the fatalities and 9 per cent of the serious injuries. Although the fatalities and serious injuries are down since 2003, more than 1,200 fatalities and serious injuries in a 10-year period happen on our Murray and Mallee roads: 65 per cent were local residents, and while 66 per cent of the accidents on the roads were at speeds of 100 kilometres or higher, 61 per cent were involved in the run-off of road crashes.

As these traffic infringement fines increase, they should be directed to driver education facilities in schools and driving awareness programs. A facility like the Riverland Motor Sport and Driver Training Complex and the Rider Safe program should be supported by the minister to deal with the ever increasing road incidents on the Murray and Mallee roads.