| 1 February 2010 | Drug and drink driving penalties strengthened |
| 21 December 2009 | New window tinting laws in SA |
| 15 December 2009 | Australian first - motorcycle barriers for Gorge Road |
| 1 December 2009 | Changes coming for L and P drivers |
| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Drug and drink driving penalties strengthened
1 February 2010
From 1 February 2010, any person who commits a drink or drug driving offence will face tougher penalties, including:
-
A three month licence disqualification for a first court conviction when:
- driving with a prescribed drug (including cannabis, speed or ecstasy) present in saliva or blood, or
- driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05 to 0.079.
- Heavier penalties for repeat offenders, with courts considering previous drink and drug driving offences during sentencing.
- An alcohol or drug dependency assessment may be required (depending on the number of previous drink or drug driving offences committed).
For example, if a person has, within the previous five years, expiated or been convicted of one of the following offences they will require an alcohol or drug dependency assessment.
- Three or more Category 1 offences.
- Two Category 1 offences and one Category 2 offence.
- Two or more serious drink driving offences.
- Two or more drug driving offences.
A blood sample must be taken from any person 10 years or older, who attends or is admitted to hospital for treatment as a result of a boat or motor vehicle accident (previously the minimum age was 14 years). In addition, South Australia Police will now be able to test boat operators for prescribed drugs (including cannabis, speed and ecstasy) under the same conditions as drug testing for vehicle drivers.
| Definitions |
| Category 1 drink driving offence - an offence between 0.05 and less than 0.08 BAC |
| Category 2 drink driving offence - an offence between 0.08 and less than 0.15 BAC |
| A serious drink driving offence includes: |
| Driving under the influence of an intoxicating liquor |
| Refusing to provide a sample of breath or blood for alcohol testing |
| Driving with a BAC at or above 0.15 |
| Driving with a BAC at or above 0.08 where a previous alcohol offence exists within the last 5 years. |
New window tinting laws for SA
21 December 2009
New window tinting laws will be introduced in South Australia on 1 January 2010. The new laws will mean we'll have the same window tinting laws across Australia. The percentage of visible light that can be transmitted through driver and front passenger windows will reduce from 70 per cent to 35 per cent.
The uniform approach will save confusion for both industry and motorists particularly by owners of vehicles that move from one state to another.
Australian first - motorcycle barriers for Gorge Road
15 December 2009
New roadside motorcycle barriers - the first of their kind in Australia - are being installed along a two kilometre stretch of Gorge Road at Cudlee Creek near Kangaroo Creek reservoir in the Adelaide Hills.
The barriers extend the traditional steel beam safety guard rails used on roadsides to cover exposed posts and gaps to reduce the impact should a motorcyclist be involved in a crash.
South Australia will be the first Australian State to use the BASYC Protection System used in several cities in Spain, including Madrid.
Spanish experts on the system are working with the department on an initial section installed Monday 14 December with the remainder to be installed early in the new year.
The BASYC barrier is of benefit to all road users as the flexible tensioned mesh barrier assists to absorb the energy of impacts. On impact the rider is redirected in the same direction due to the high tenacity and high elasticity of the product. The textile mesh is made of a fireproof recyclable product that has UV protection, and is resistant to extreme temperatures. A paraffin and Teflon covering prevents high temperatures generated by friction at the moment of impact and ensures the progressive slip of the rider on the mesh. The product is easily installed as it is not necessary to remove the existing beam and little maintenance is required.
The two kilometre stretch of Gorge Road was identified as a priority following 6 crashes (five involving motorcyclists) between January 2004 and December 2008 resulting in 3 fatalities, 2 serious injuries and 2 minor injuries.
Changes coming for L and P drivers
1 December 2009
Further changes will be introduced to the Graduated Licensing Scheme next year to better prepare novice drivers for progressing to a full licence.
The key measures passed by Parliament on 1 December follow earlier changes introduced on 31 August 2009 banning L and P1 drivers from using any type of mobile phone function while driving.
The key measures expected to become effective in the last half of 2010 will include:
- Increasing the minimum time required on a learner’s permit from six to 12 months for drivers under the age of 25 years.
- Increasing the minimum supervised driving time for learner's permit holders from 50 hours (including 10 at night) to 75 hours (including 15 at night).
- Increasing the maximum speed limit a learner's permit holder may travel on a road from 80 km/h to 100 km/h, where speed signs permit. At present, learner drivers are only allowed to travel at 100 km/h when accompanied by a motor driving instructor, in a clearly marked driving school vehicle fitted with dual brakes.
- Provisional (P1 and P2) drivers under 25 years of age will be restricted from driving high-powered cars including vehicles with engines of 8 or more cylinders; turbocharged or supercharged engines (except diesel powered vehicles), vehicles that have been modified to increase engine performance and a number of nominated high performance vehicles.
- Tightening of curfew conditions for novice drivers returning from a serious disqualification, a penalty of two demerit points for failure to display L and P plates instead of licence disqualification and the offer of a Safer Driver Agreement option for disqualified provisional drivers.
- Young Driver FAQs