13 May 22 | By pp-admin | Advocacy, Cycle safety
Pedal Power is thrilled that the ACT Legislative Assembly has voted to approve new road legislation to increase penalties for negligent driving causing harm.
This represents a successful outcome to intensive advocacy by Pedal Power over the past 12 months.
Police will be able to issue $900 on-the-spot fines to negligent drivers who cause actual bodily harm to others, following amendments to legislation put forward by Jo Clay MLA in the ACT Legislative Assembly on Wednesday 23 March.
The law reform process has been one of genuine community engagement. Legislation brought forward by Transport Minister Chris Steel, together with Jo Clay’s amendment, creates a new offence when a driver causes actual bodily harm to another road user. Police will be able to issue a $900 fine and 3 demerit points without needing to go through the court system
Pedal Power first called for legal reform after identifying a gap in Canberra’s negligent driving laws. We found that the penalty for driving negligently and injuring a cyclist was only a $398 fine. We pushed for law reform to protect Canberrans walking and cycling on our roads.
This new on-the-spot fine will provide for swift and significant resolution. Pedal Power believes this will help improve safety on our roads, when coupled with other measures including an education campaign about sharing the road.
Pedal Power thanks Jo Clay MLA – Member for Ginninderra, Chris Steel MLA and Mark Parton MLA for their work towards this positive outcome for Canberrans.