Tag Archives: nsw government

Is it time to change the demerit system?

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A recent NRMA survey showed 62% of people supported reducing the amount of time demerit points are kept on a licence from three years to a proposed two and a huge 95% supported reducing the cost of licence renewals for drivers with a clean record (this is successfully being used in other states within Australia).

The survey also found 53% supported increasing the number of demerit points on a full NSW licence from 12 to 13.

The NRMA is also calling on the NSW Government to consider a system currently being used in London, where drivers booked for a low-range traffic offence can forgo the fine and demerit points if they attend a one-day driver training course at their own expense.

Each motorist will be given this option once every three years.

Would you take up this option if it was offered?

Considering the demerit system was introduced in NSW almost 40 years ago, the NRMA believes it is time for a change. Do you agree? 

Or do you think the system is fair just the way it is?

 * Find out more about the NSW demerit system

School zones – have your say

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NRMA President Wendy Machin recently commented on the importance of flashing lights in school zones to indicate when they are in operation.

“Children’s safety is paramount – drivers’ awareness needs to be drawn to the presence of school children and that’s what flashing lights achieve,” she said.

However, the NRMA has concerns about the rate flashing lights are being rolled out.

A study conducted by the RTA in 2006 “indicated that flashing lights were effective in reducing vehicle speed outside schools during the operation of the 40 km/h school speed zone.”

In spite of this, only 10 per cent NSW’s 3,100 schools have flashing lights, with 100 sets per year being scheduled for installation over the next four years.

School zones were introduced to NSW in December 2002 to reduce the chance of fatalities in school areas. They ensure that motorists slow down to 40km/h during times when children are on the way to and from school.

The problem with this is that it can be unclear to motorists when school zones are in operation. School Zones come into effect only on school days. Therefore, during school and public holidays the school zones do not operate. This can be confusing to anybody who does not have kids – although it’s not an excuse if you get caught speeding.

For more information, visit the RTA School Zones page.

Have you found School Zones easier to identify when they have flashing lights? Is there more that could be done to improve the way School Zones work?

NRMA’s new video site allows motorists to air their frustrations with NSW roads

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RoadTube.com.au, a new website from NRMA Motoring & Services, allows NSW motorists to upload videos and have a say on the state of our roads. The website asks users to post comments and upload videos or watch and then rate the other videos on the site.

Launched on March 16, 2009, the site already has a number of entries, with users discussing everything from tolls and peak hour traffic, to drivers using their mobile phones and left lanes ending too quickly.

In conjunction with the site’s launch, three portable ‘NRMA toll booths’ will tour NSW and allow the public to record and post videos about how our roads can be improved.

If you’d like your frustrations and solutions to the state’s transport problems seen and heard, go to RoadTube.com.au or visit one of the RoadTube booths and get NSW moving again.

Will raising the toll to cross Sydney Harbour reduce congestion?

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Just over a fortnight after the Sydney Harbour Bridge went cashless, tolls for vehicles crossing Sydney Harbour by either the Harbour Bridge or the Harbour Tunnel have changed to time-of-day tolling, with the amount charged dependent on the time of day.

The NSW Government has raised the toll to help reduce congestion in the city during peak times and to create enough revenue – $12 million – to supply 300 new buses.

From Tuesday 27 January 2009 the fee for crossing the Harbour from north to south will be $4 during peak periods – between 6.30-9.30am and 4.00-7.30pm Monday to Friday.

It will stay at $3 during the period of 9.30am-4.00pm Monday to Friday. In off-peak periods – midnight-6.30am and 7pm-midnight Monday to Friday, and 8.00am-8.00pm on weekends and public holidays – the toll will decrease to $2.50. Visit the RTA website for more information

The plan sounds good in theory but…

Experts are saying the congestion forecasts won’t change – unsurprising given that turning the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Tunnel cashless is also supposed to ease congestion and make the trip easier and quicker.

It has also been revealed that no extra bus or train services have been put in place to cater for the increase in the number of commuters expected to use public transport to avoid paying the increased toll price.

Will a higher toll encourage you to take public transport during peak times when crossing the Harbour? We’d especially like to hear from those who regularly make the trip.

Would you catch the train if you could Park and Ride?

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A new report from NRMA Motoring & Services has found that the main reason motorists don’t catch the train to work is due to a lack of sufficient and secure parking facilities at train stations.

43 per cent of those surveyed said they would use ‘Park and Ride’ facilities if they were provided. But the report found that some of the busiest stations in NSW are severely lacking in adequate parking:

  • • Strathfield 23 spaces – 10,700 commuters. 
  • • Hornsby 350 spaces – 7,290 commuters.
  • • Parramatta 780 spaces – 15,190 commuters.
  • • Bankstown 170 spaces – 4,720 commuters.
  • • Kogarah 330 spaces – 6,770 commuters.

“More than 80 per cent of motorists currently drive to work – we could get that number down considerably if motorists were given the option of driving to the station and parking in a secure, well-lit parking space,” NRMA President Alan Evans said.

He said it would be a great way to get motorists off the road and onto trains, reducing traffic congestion and pollution.

Transport Minister John Watkins said the NSW Government is expanding park and ride facilities at Seven Hills, St Marys, Glenfield, Werrington, Holdsworthy, Blacktown and Wenthworthville.

The report also showed that some of Sydney’s busiest stations don’t have any ‘Kiss and Ride’ areas – legal and safe areas for dropping off and picking up that would allow people to get a lift to the station rather than drive.

Would you catch a train to work if there were proper parking facilities at the train station?