According to Dallas Clarnette, chairman of the Christian Democratic Party, “this government’s policies are dishonest. They are directed, not at effective road safety but what everybody suspects is the case – raising revenue. Dr Clarnette said, “Current policies and strategies advertised as the government’s tough policy are not working. It is this government took traffic management seriously and were informed by the road safety evidence from around the world.”

Speed cameras do not reduce accidents but actually increase them. Some US states such as Arizona has banned all cameras. In Canada, Winnipeg found accidents increased by 58% after cameras were installed. Yet the Victorian Government stubbornly relies on cameras, which are both unreliable and prone to abuse. In 2009 21% more tickets were issued than before, but accidents only decreased by 5%.

The argument that ’speed kills’ and cameras are necessary is also hollow. If this were true, why would most European states permit drivers to travel at 130 kms per hour? Only Cyprus and Norway limit speed to 100 kms, while the UK and Sweden make it 110.

Clearly the government is drug addicted, the drug being a daily injection of revenue from cameras. Knowing that Australia’s road trauma costs the nation $17Bn each year with 5 people being killed each day, the government has blood on its hands by not getting serious about the real issue: dangerous drivers and bad policies.

Victoria needs visible police patrols targeting actually dangerous drivers, not those who exceed the limit by a margin. As Victoria has the lowest number of police of all states, the force must be increased urgently. A visible police presence is the strongest deterrent to dangerous drivers and thugs on our streets. Victorians should replace this failed government with an honest traffic management system. Till then, Victoria will continue to suffer from bad government.

Dallas Clarnette
Chairman
Christian Democratic Party, Victoria