Hard new driving penalties in Victoria

VicRoads has announced tough new penalties for motorists busted in Victoria.

Drivers caught 25km/h over the speed limit, but less than 35km/h over, will lose their licence for three months.

Breaking a 110km/h speed limit by more than 20km/h (but less than 25km/h) will earn the same driving sabbatical.

The three-month penalty in effect from today is triple what was issued previously, and replaces the issuing of demerit points for excessive speeding offences.

The maximum penalty for unlicensed driving is now $9500 or six months jail time – triple the cost and double the time previously.

One maximum penalty is now in place for driving while disqualified – first offence or not – to the princely sum of $38,000 or two years’ jail. That’s up from just $4700 and four months jail.

Two new offences now exist too.

A person knowingly allowing an unlicensed driver to drive a vehicle could receive a maximum $9500 fine or six months jail time, and a penalty of up to $3160 (individuals) or $15,800 (body corporates) for employers who employ a person to drive while unlicensed.

According to the TAC, 169 lives have been lost in 2018, a figure down 14.6% on 2017. However the five-year average remains at 210.

In the 12 months to midnight last night (October 31) 231 people have been killed nationally.

TAC lead director of road safety Samantha Cockfield says, “Tougher penalties, alongside enforcement and education, is proven to be the best approach to tackling speeding on Victorian roads.

“The fact that speed continues to play a part in about one third of Victorian deaths and injuries shows there is still work to be done to get motorists to slow down,” she adds.

VicRoads director of road access Roger Chao says in a statement he supports a “recent research study” which indicates licence suspension is the “key to deterring higher level speeding offences”.

“The study examined how speeding drivers responded to various penalties including licence suspensions, demerit points, good behaviour bonds and vehicle impoundments,” Chao says.

“There was strong evidence that licence suspension for higher level speeding offences lower the likelihood of repeat offences and these drivers being involved in a casualty crash,” he concludes.