Driving penalties to get tougher

**Blue Velvet** · 18th December 2007, 11:30

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4327621a10.html

Driving penalties to get tougher
NZPA | Tuesday, 18 December 2007

The Government is set to toughen up penalties for driving offences.

Prime Minister Helen Clark told journalists yesterday Cabinet had made decisions on "a number" of road safety improvement initiatives.

Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven would announce changes in the run-up to Christmas, she said.

"Its actually legislative changes that are going to be imposed to make it clear that unsafe driving behaviour is going to face more stiff penalties," Miss Clark said.

In July Mr Duynhoven told Parliament's transport committee he would give serious consideration to a New Zealand First Party call for tougher penalties for recidivist drink drivers.

The party wanted first time offenders to get a written warning, have their car clamped on their property on a second offence and lose it altogether if they offended again.

Mr Duynhoven told the committee a range of policy was being considered including young and novice drivers and the graduated licensing system, changing penalties for speeding, intersection and seatbelt offences, drunk driving and motorcycle safety.

**Katman** · 18th December 2007, 11:32

Originally Posted by Blue Velvet

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4327621a10.html

motorcycle safety.

Don't say you weren't all warned.

**ManDownUnder** · 18th December 2007, 11:40

Originally Posted by Blue Velvet

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4327621a10.html

motorcycle safety.

... greeeaaaaattt...

One wonders how many motorcyclists are in cabinet.

**Ocean1** · 18th December 2007, 11:41

Originally Posted by ManDownUnder

... greeeaaaaattt...

One wonders how many motorcyclists are in cabinet.

And for how long...

**Swoop** · 18th December 2007, 11:50

Originally Posted by Blue Velvet

"Its actually legislative changes that are going to be imposed to make it clear that unsafe driving behaviour is going to face more stiff penalties," Miss Clark said.

Whaddaya mean "Miss"?

"I'm sorry, I have a cold".

**RantyDave** · 18th December 2007, 11:54

Originally Posted by Blue Velvet

"Its actually legislative changes that are going to be imposed to make it clear that unsafe driving behaviour is going to face more stiff penalties," Miss Clark said.

"For instance, it has come to my attention that some fucking twat has been placing tensioned steel cables between lanes at accident black spots. That this would be the last thing you'd want to see had you just tucked the front on some of Fulton Hogan's finest appears to have escaped their tiny minds. It is the intention of this government to ... oh, look, shiny thing"

Those may not have been her exact words.

Dave

**Morcs** · 18th December 2007, 12:25

So this is instead of announcing a Tax increase?

Id better get a decent radar detector in the new year...

**SPman** · 18th December 2007, 12:33

What does increasing penalties have to do with road safety?

It never ceases to amaze me, that governments around the world equate tougher laws and penalties with "safety" - like a bully threatening its victim!

You do this or else! A legalised protection racket!

They did the same over here last year - fines and demerits up across the board, double demerits extending to more than just public holidays - 40 k over is now $1000 plus whatever else they can throw at you - result - road deaths up by 20% this year in WA - so that was really effective..............

Twats!

**Mikkel** · 18th December 2007, 12:54

Hmmm, speeding penalties are IMHO quite tough enough already. Why is it so hard for the government to understand that the people who drive dangerously will continue to do so even if they imposed a death sentence for speeding! And that would just give people even more reason to try and run from the police anyway...

**Pwalo** · 18th December 2007, 13:08

Oh goodie. Uncle Helen is going to pass legislation to make biking safe.

Well, we'll all be ok then.

**Coyote** · 18th December 2007, 13:16

They only threaten the middle class. The lower class pay no attention and let the fines rack up and the rich don't care either.

Will bikes have seatbelts eventually? Bet they will before buses ever do.

**u4ea** · 18th December 2007, 13:23

Originally Posted by Coyote

They only threaten the middle class. The lower class pay no attention and let the fines rack up and the rich don't care either.

Will bikes have seatbelts eventually? Bet they will before buses ever do.

My guess is after the coast to coast ride where ACC were taking stats on which Day Glow was the most effective,that will be the next lot of fines to deal with........

**Marmoot** · 18th December 2007, 13:36

Ve must beat ze dead horze until it wins ze race!

MD · 18th December 2007, 17:05

I heard that they are going to introduce penalties for bikes that crash into police cars that suddenly turn across their path. To be fair to all parties the legislation will be modelled on the same Sharia law that gave that Saudi rape victim 200 lashes and 2 years in prison for letting 7 men pack rape her.

**PirateJafa** · 18th December 2007, 18:05

Originally Posted by MD

I heard that they are going to introduce penalties for bikes that crash into police cars that suddenly turn across their path. To be fair to all parties the legislation will be modelled on the same Sharia law that gave that Saudi rape victim 200 lashes and 2 years in prison for letting 7 men pack rape her.

Pity NZ doesn't have any royalty in power to grant pardons though.