Driver training trumps demerits

Death on NSW roads is up almost 25% on last year, with 208 fatalities since the beginning of the year. This figure is causing widespread community concern and the NSW motoring association NRMA is now calling on the state government to implement a scheme which would replace fines and demerit points for low-level speeding offences with compulsory driver training.

NRMA President Kyle Loades said that better educating drivers on the danger of their actions would do more to combat the increase.

"The simple fact is that speed kills. Drivers are not getting the message under the current system that speeding is never an option on our roads.

"Over the past 12 months, 41% of fatal crashes in NSW were caused by excessive speed, which is an increase of 23% compared to the 2013/2015 average," he said.

NRMA first released the Three-Point Plan to Tackle Bad Drivers in 2012, calling for the government to:

• get tough with repeat offenders by making it mandatory for repeat drink drivers to have interlock devices fitted to their vehicle for 12 months;
• catch bad drivers by putting more highly visible police on roads;
• educate bad drivers by giving low-level speeding offenders the choice of attending a driver education course instead of demerit points and a fine.

The government has already responded to NRMA's plan by introducing mandatory alcohol interlocks for repeat drink driving offenders and investing in more highway patrols.

Loades said the sharp increase in fatalities meant it was more important than ever to tackle driver education.

"What we're calling for is a course to be made available in lieu of a speeding fine and demerit point that would only be available to drivers once every three years.

"Similar courses successfully operate in the United Kingdom already and have yielded positive changes to driver behaviour and attitudes towards speeding.

"Speed awareness courses would not only address driver attitudes but also provide drivers with the opportunity to refresh their knowledge of road rules," he said.