Penalties and road cash on drivers’ minds

Harsher penalties for bad driving and more investment for country roads were issues raised by road users at a road safety forum this week.

The community forum held in Collie on Tuesday afternoon was part of the Road Safety Council’s push to improve road safety across the State.

The need for improved driver patience and awareness was also a topic of discussion at the meeting.

Road Safety Council chairman Iain Cameron said while there was mixed feedback, there was a mostly positive response from people at the meeting about lowering the speed limit on Collie’s main street to 40km/h.

“We heard people talk about the importance of following behind other vehicles at safe distances and the need for continued investment in country roads,” he said.

“There were calls for harsher penalties, an increase in driver learning hours and even refresher training for people over 40.”

Mr Cameron said the feedback collected would be put with their own information, to be presented to the State Government at the end of the year with recommendations on how road safety should be addressed and improved.

“We want people to Imagine Zero, what it would be like to have a zero road toll by 2050,” he said.

“We’ve already had a 30 per cent reduction in the past 10 years and at the rate we’re going, there’ll be another 20 per cent reduction in another 10 years.”

Mr Cameron said the main question being asked at the community forums was “how much road safety do you want?”

There will be a community forum held in Bunbury on August 12 from 6pm at the Bunbury Power Boat Club and people can register their interest at the Imagine Zero website.

“We will share the science, but we want to hear from the people,” Mr Cameron said.

He added that if people could not make it to the forum, they could visit the website to provide their feedback on road safety in the State.