Controversial new road rules for Australian drivers
There are big changes coming for New South Wales drivers who break major road rules, including drink-driving and speeding offences.
The NSW State Government announced on Thursday a new road safety package that stops low-range drink drivers from having to attend court as well as a plan to generate more income via point-to-point speed cameras, Seven News reports.
For nearly four decades, if you blew over the limit on a breathalyser you had to attend court and face a magistrate. But now if you are caught low-range drink-driving, police will suspend your licence on the spot and issue a fine.
However, some experts are sceptical and say the plan has problems.
"It's really an attempt to decriminalise, in a way, the effect of drink driving," lawyer Sam Macedoni said. "The idea of going to court is punishment in itself."
But the move was unanimously agreed by the State Cabinet who argue the rule change will free up a stretched court system, discourage drivers to appeal their suspension, and stop some driver being handed back their license after convincing a judge.
Point-to-point cameras are currently only used for trucks and could potentially catch thousands of speeding drivers.
The plan to introduce them has been delayed, with many viewing the initiative as simply a revenue-raising exercise. It is expected to be unpopular in rural and regional areas where the cameras will be targeted.
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