ROAD TRAFFIC (RED LIGHT OFFENCES) AMENDMENT BILL

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 27 July 2011.)

Mr GOLDSWORTHY (Kavel) (12:52): I advise the house that I am the lead speaker on behalf of the opposition in relation to this particular piece of legislation, the Road Traffic (Red Light Offences) Amendment Bill 2011. The bill is to amend the Road Traffic Act 1961, and I understand it is to address some technicalities in relation to the installation of red-light speed cameras at six identified metropolitan level crossings: Leader Street, Goodwood; Woodville Road, Woodville; Kilkenny Road, Kilkenny; Cormack Road and Magazine Road, Wingfield; Womma Road, Elizabeth North; and Commercial Road, Salisbury North.

The government previously announced the installation of red-light cameras at these particular level crossings. It seeks to apply the same laws at these level crossings as those in operation at other road traffic intersections where vehicles involved in red-light offences and speeding offences arising out of the same incident will face penalties for both. As I said, this bill looks to address some technicalities in relation to the issue of installation of these cameras at level crossings.

It is proposed that offenders travelling through a level crossing will pay a fine on each offence—speeding and through the red light—and they will have demerit points applied on each offence. Currently, I understand, the act defines traffic arrows and traffic lights but does not define twin red lights. As we all know, twin red lights flash at level crossings. The inclusion of twin red lights in the definition will bring level crossings into line with other intersections. We obviously support the fact that both types of intersections should have the same road rules applied and be put in place. The bill also amends the definition of what constitutes a prescribed offence under both the Road Traffic Act and the Motor Vehicles Act for the purposes of the regulations.

I certainly appreciate the opportunity that the minister's office provided in terms of a briefing from departmental staff. There has never been any issue with receiving a briefing when we have requested one on any matter or any bill that I have had carriage of in the house on behalf of the opposition concerning the Minister for Road Safety, so we certainly appreciate that. The bill is not tremendously complicated, and hence the briefing that we received only went for about 10 minutes or so. I do appreciate the departmental staff through the minister's office getting back to us in relation to some further information that we did seek at the briefing.

We on this side of the house understand that it is a very serious road safety issue with people speeding across level crossings and looking to run the red lights on level crossings. Arguably, it is even more dangerous to undertake that sort of activity than it would be through, if you like, a red light at a normal vehicular traffic intersection. Obviously, the mass of a train is far greater than any vehicle that would travel on a road so, potentially, the consequences of a crash that occurs at a level crossing would be significantly greater in terms of serious injury and/or fatality than at a normal vehicular traffic intersection.

I think it is important that we do look to bring in these measures. As I said, the potential for very serious injuries and fatalities at level crossings is high, and I understand that there have been 24 fatalities at level crossings in the past 10 years. Another serious concern for train drivers, I understand, is the number of near misses. One example is at Womma Road at Elizabeth North at a level crossing where speeds have reached 160 km/h. In the old measurement, that is 100 miles an hour. That is really an incredibly ridiculous and imbecilic speed to be travelling anywhere on our roads particularly in a 60 km/h zone.

I understand that statistics from the study concluded that, for the period from 7 to 22 November 2009, approximately 21,000 vehicles exceeded the speed limit and over 1,200 vehicles entered the crossing when the lights start to flash. Of those, 237 were speeding. The study also showed 19 cars entered the crossing when the boom gates were lowering. I cannot understand why a motorist would actually do that. I am extremely cautious when I approach any level crossing, obviously stopping when the lights start flashing but, even when I am crossing the level crossing in the normal course of driving, I do look up and down the railway line just in case there is a train coming and there may be a malfunction of the signals.

As I said, 19 cars entered the crossing when the boom gates were lowering, and seven of those were speeding, with a maximum speed of 88.7 km/h recorded. Over 100 vehicles entered the crossing when the boom gates were rising. That is extremely dangerous driving too, because you never know: there may be another train coming on a two line system. One train may pass through and that triggers the boom gates being raised, but you do not know whether, in only a matter of 500 metres or so, another train may be coming from the other direction and activate the lights and lower the boom gate.

I am not looking to make a lengthy speech. I can indicate that the opposition is supporting the legislation without amendment, so it is not my intention to go into committee. The last point I want to make is that we do need to be ever mindful that we need a balance between road safety and revenue raising in relation to speed cameras in particular. I know there has been public debate about this for a long time, but I just raise that point. In closing, we on this side of the house support the legislation.

Debate adjourned on motion of Mr Pederick.

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