10. DAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East) Link to this
to the Minister of Transport
What work is the Government doing to make New Zealand’s roads safer?
Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister of Transport) Link to this
Today I launched the Safer Journeys discussion document, containing a range of possible Government initiatives that could help to improve road safety. The Safer Journeys discussion document invites views on a number of priority road safety areas, including alcohol and drug-impaired driving, safer speeds, young drivers, motorcycling, roads, and roadsides. The feedback received from road users will be used to develop a national road-safety strategy for the next 10 years. Initial actions will be implemented over the next year or two, and I stress that public acceptability is an important aspect of any changes.
Last week I announced that from 1 November this year it will be against the road rules for drivers to text or talk on a hand-held cellphone while driving. This is aimed at combating a specific driver distraction that has grown to become a significant problem. Between 2003 and 2008 there were 482 injury crashes and 25 fatal crashes in New Zealand where the use of a mobile phone or other telecommunications device was identified as a contributing factor. Drivers will still be able to use hands-free cellphones, and make 111 calls for genuine emergencies as well.
Hon Darren Hughes Link to this
When the Minister set a fine of $80 for talking on a cellphone, did he take into account the fact that for nearly 20 years drivers have been allowed to talk on a cellphone and drive; if so, why did he set the fine so high, when it comes in in just a few weeks’ time, rather than allowing drivers to get used to the change with a lower fine and warnings?
Mr SPEAKERI do not know what provoked that outburst from the back of the House, but I think we should actually hear the Minister’s answer before there is all that massive interjection.
Due consideration was given to the appropriate level of fine and number of demerit points. It is equivalent to exceeding the speed limit by 11 to 15 kilometres an hour.
I have seen a proposal from a former member of this House who was concerned about the use of retreads once they are past their use-by date. He seemed to think that it is a particular issue in and around the parliamentary complex, resulting in some erratic steering. It is not an issue that is expressly raised in the road safety strategy, but I am advised that the Minister is prepared to accept submissions from any members, particularly from those on the Opposition benches who are concerned about the overuse of retreads once they are past their use-by date.