ROAD SAFETY

Mr SIBBONS (Mitchell) (14:30): My question is to the Minister for Road Safety. Can the minister inform the house about a new discussion paper designed to seek feedback on ideas to improve motorcycle safety?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:30): Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: I thank the member for Mitchell for his question and I acknowledge his commitment to improving road safety. In fact, he was one of a few members of parliament who provided feedback on the recent graduated licensing scheme discussion paper and involved many people in his electorate in formulating his submission to us.

Today I am releasing another new discussion paper and this one outlines six proposed licensing changes for motorbike riders that, if introduced, will, I believe, have a positive impact on road safety and help reduce trauma on our roads. Copies are being sent to over 50 key organisations here in South Australia and I am keen to receive their advice on the proposals that have been developed before we take the next step of regulatory and legislative change. The proposals out for discussion include:

whether a car licence should be held for at least 12 months before a person is eligible to apply for a motorcycle learner's permit. This gives a novice motorcycle rider the opportunity to have practical on-road experience, experience in varied traffic and road conditions in the relative safety of an enclosed vehicle, before hitting our roads on a motorcycle;

the introduction of a compulsory six-month period between the basic and advanced rider safe motorcycle training courses;

requiring all licence holders endorsed with R-date to have zero blood alcohol concentration while riding a motorcycle, which would bring them in line with L and P-plate drivers in South Australia;

introducing specific licensing and training requirements for riders of mopeds; currently anyone with a driver's licence can hop on a scooter and drive on our roads;

banning riders with a class R-date licence endorsement (including riders of mopeds or scooters) from carrying a pillion passenger. Riding a motorbike is risky enough without having someone on the back of your bike when you lack experience. From 2007 to 2011, nine pillion passengers on average have been killed or seriously injured each year on our roads; and

exploring options for a motorcycle safety fund dedicated to motorcycling safety initiatives to address the high and disproportionate risks they face.

The Motorcycle Riders Association of South Australia has publicly welcomed the opportunity for its members to have input into these proposals and the director of the Centre for Automotive Safety Research backed the proposals, saying they were supported by research, experience in other states, and expert opinion. I stress, however, that these are only proposals at this stage. Considerable weight will be given to the feedback we receive before any reforms to be introduced to parliament are finalised.

With 174 motorbike riders killed and 1,649 seriously injured in the last decade, it is clear we have a real challenge in reducing these unacceptable figures. Last year alone, 21 motorcyclists died from a road toll of 103 people. In fact, the risk of a motorbike rider being killed in a crash is almost 30 times higher than for a car driver. It is imperative that we take action and I would encourage anyone with an interest to provide their feedback during the next eight-week period.