Bicycle Network calls for overhaul to licencing laws

Bicycle Network is calling for an overhaul of driver licence laws to stop repeat and unrepentant driving offenders from getting behind the wheel and jeopardising the lives of others. 

Australia’s biggest __bike riding organisation wants to see the introduction of a driver supervision program for those who have a proven record of flouting the road rules.  

Through training, counselling and interventions, the goal of the driver supervision program is to set criteria for serial driving offenders and ensure that the culprits are indeed fit and proper to possess a licence. 

Last month, Melbourne woman Stephanie Maher was sentenced to 11 years in jail for a crash that killed __bike rider Julian Paul. Despite a record of more than 30 driving offences, Ms Maher was able to regain her licence and keep driving. Only after taking a man’s life is she now off the road.

Currently, Victorian drivers can get up to 12 demerit points before their licence is suspended. However, they can also run the gauntlet and elect to extend their demerit period and keep driving. If they do gamble their licence but go on to gain more points the initial suspension is automatically doubled and then must be served.

Bicycle Network CEO, Craig Richards, said that the ease of which serial driving offenders can get back on the road is simple unacceptable.

“It’s shocking and disturbing that there are drivers who have been repetitively convicted of speeding, disobeying traffic signals, driving while unlicenced and using a phone while behind the wheel out on our roads.”

“Serial driving offenders are a disaster waiting to happen and unfortunately the outcomes are all too real for the families who are tragically and unnecessarily robbed of a loved one.”

Show your support for an overhaul of licencing – join our petition here.

“A drivers licence is a responsibility and a privilege, and if you abuse it, it shouldn’t just be handed back to you on a promise you won’t do it again – especially if you continually break the law and show no remorse.”

Bicycle Network is calling for a more stringent licencing system including five key surveillance and education measures:

1. Surveillance and driver tracking: the installation of GPS tracking technology in the vehicles of serial driving offenders that sends out an alert if a driver is speeding or driving erratically.
2. Counselling: education courses for drivers who risk others in ways such as speeding, mobile phone use, disobeying signals.
3. Training: if motorists have shown an inability to drive safely they must undergo specific driver training.
4. Assessment: ongoing assessment of the driver’s progress while under the supervision program.
5. Fast tracking of safety assist technologies (SATs): technology in cars that can override driver actions and human error including lane support systems, emergency braking and fatigue detection.

“Before being let loose on the roads, serial driving offenders should first prove to society that they can be trusted and secondly, carefully monitored. This should include completing training, counselling, assessment of attitudes and regular monitoring,” added Mr Richards.

Click here for full details of Bicycle Network’s campaign and an online petition to show your support.

Read a report from the Herald Sun on Bicycle Network's calls.