OVER 600 DEATHS IN 6-MONTHS

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Road deaths have increased to the end of June this year. Double Demerit States with the toughest sanctions have seen the bulk of this increase with a 7% increase. Non Double Demerit States with fairer sanctions have seen a 7% decrease.

Its the third consecutive increase for Double Demerit States. It shows that high fines, tough sanctions and the fastest way to a loss of license is having little impact on driver behaviour. All states need to include more effective sanctions, clever sanctions where drivers are rewarded for good driving, casual offenders improve their skills and sanctions are tougher for repeat offenders.

Effective sanctions will see drivers improve their skills and behaviour. Casual offenders will need to lodge a good driving bond, refundable after a period of safe driving. Repeat offenders will need to participate in driver improvement programs. And the worst may end up on the National At Risk Driver Register, facing higher registration, insurance and restricted employment choices.

Transport Ministers need to ministers must move on from their fixation on fines and dated sanctions. These have been ineffective since Covid, where road deaths have increased for 5-years in a row. It's delusional for ministers to believe they can achieve a 50% reduction in road deaths by 2030, when road carnage increases each year.

The path to safer roads is firmly in the hands of federal and state transport ministers, hopefully they will act soon and implement more effective sanctions otherwise they'll be responsible for even more road deaths.

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Road Deaths to 30.06.2026

National 662 - 2%

Double Demerit States - 7% Increase: NSW 0%, Qld 13%, WA 8%, ACT 267%.

Non Double Demerit States - 7% Decrease: Victoria (16%), SA 53%, Tas (24%), NT (29%)

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Noel O'Brien is the author of Penalty RipOff, the book explains The Safe Driver Program, outlining better sanctions for casual,

repeat and recidivist offenders to improve driver behaviour. Check out the website at - penaltyripoff.com.au