Speed Limits

Mr COWDREY (Colton) (15:16): My question is to the Minister for Police. Will the government provide any grace period for fines to motorists travelling along Tapleys Hill Road at West Beach? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr COWDREY: The speed limit along Tapleys Hill Road at West Beach has been reduced from 80 km/h to 60 km/h. This change occurred on Friday, 31 May, having been 80 km/h for decades. There was limited community consultation prior to the reduction in the speed limit, and I have since been contacted by motorists who are genuinely concerned that they have inadvertently travelled 20 km/h faster than the speed limit, being unaware of the change in conditions. Grace periods have been in place for the government's mobile phone safety cameras.

The Hon. D.R. CREGAN (Kavel—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Special Minister of State) (15:16): I thank the shadow treasurer for the question. It is routinely the case where there is a change to road signage or the introduction of new enforcement measures that a period operates so that motorists can be aware of a change in conditions. I am not aware of any departure from those standard procedures with respect to the proposal and our decision to change the speed limit on Tapleys Hill Road.

I understand that the best course naturally would be for me to seek advice from the department and come back to the member with a more fulsome response. I understand his constituents will have a strong interest in this matter, and I undertake to bring that answer back to the house.