Pubdate: Tue, 03 Jan 2006 Source: Advertiser, The (Australia) Copyright: 2006 Advertiser Newspapers Ltd Contact: http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1 Author: Mike Rann, State Premier Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?224 (Cannabis and Driving) MORE POLICE AND A GREATER VISION FOR SAVING LIVES WE'VE delivered more police than ever before, tougher penalties for moronic dangerous drivers and an improved licensing system for our young drivers. When this Government came to office, there was no vision for saving lives on SA roads. We established the Road Safety Advisory Council, appointing Sir Eric Neal as chair. Assisted by police, safety and other groups, the council has made some good suggestions. We've toughened up drink driving laws and enforcement for the first time in decades and anyone stupid enough to drive over 0.08 BAC now loses their licence - on the spot. Almost 500 drivers have been caught in the past month, some so drunk that they could barely stand, but they still thought they could drive a car. No one can legislate against stupidity. We are the third jurisdiction in the world to legislate for drug testing of drivers. For too long, people have been killing themselves and others while influenced by illicit drugs. Figures show 28 per cent of 2004 driver fatalities were found to have cannabis or methamphetamine in their blood at the time of the crash. New excessive speed penalties also cause anyone caught more than 45 km/h over the limit to lose their licence immediately, while hundreds of hoon drivers who terrorise our neighbourhoods have had their cars impounded. SA currently boasts the largest police force in its history and our recruitment of an extra 200 police is continuing. In keeping with our Advisory Council's recommendations, this year we've provided $1.54m to help police saturate rural roads with enforcement campaigns. We all have a road safety role as we work toward our ambitious SA Strategic Plan target of reducing road deaths by 40 per cent by 2010. Our overhaul of the Graduated Licensing System now forces novice drivers to get more experience behind the wheel, spend more time on their L and P plates and complete a computerised Hazard Perception Test. We've also extended road safety lessons to younger students in Years 8 and 9, with road safety resources helping children as young as kindergarten age. On the roads, we're spending $266 million this year - more than double what the Liberals did in their last year. That includes shoulder sealing, black spot improvements, overtaking lanes and upgrades of dangerous intersections. We are also the first government to re-direct all proceeds from speeding fines into new road safety initiatives. I'm proud of our record, but there is more to be done and Labor will continue to work with the experts in making SA roads safer. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom