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| Title: |
Proposed road rule changes to improve road safety |
| Article Date: |
15 Sep 2009
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Measures to ensure children under 16 years old are restrained safely in taxis and public minibuses form part of a package of draft amendments to Australia’s Road Rules released for public consultation.
The proposed changes to seatbelt laws align national road rules with existing laws in many states. If implemented, taxi and public minibus drivers would be required to ensure child passengers aged one to seven years old wear a suitable child restraint, or – if none is available – a seatbelt.
“It’s important for parents and carers to plan taxi trips with children and use approved child restraints; however, where this is not possible, it’s safer to wear a seatbelt than nothing,” said National Transport Commission (NTC) Senior Manager Safety Dr Jeff Potter.
Dr Potter said the NTC will consult further with the taxi sector to ensure any rule changes are reasonable and practical for drivers and passengers.
The recommendations are part of a package of amendments to the Australian Road Rules (ARR) released by the NTC for public consultation, including:
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an increased distance between portable warning triangles and broken down heavy vehicles or fallen loads on high-speed roads;.
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clarification of when a child passenger should be restrained in the front seat of a vehicle; and
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examples and improved wording of some road rules to clarify their intent and promote better understanding (eg: give-way provisions at roundabouts).
NTC welcomes public submissions on the 9th Australian Road Rules Amendment Package by
30 October 2009.
You can download the draft Regulatory Impact Statement and model amendments and add your comments or submission here: Reports Issued for Comment
For futher information, contact:
Kathryn Hodges
Manager Public Affairs
Phone: 03 9236 5039
Email: khodges@ntc.gov.au
BACKGROUND
What are Australian Road Rules?
Australian Road Rules are ‘Model Rules’ only and have no legal effect – they form the basis of road laws in each State and Territory. The National Transport Commission maintains the rules in consultation with the Australian Road Rules Maintenance Group. Prior to the adoption of Australian Road Rules in 1999, road laws varied between states and territories. This caused driver confusion, which potentially impacted on road safety and transport efficiency.
Child seat restraint reform
In 2008, Australia’s Transport Ministers agreed to implement national child restraint laws, which provide a safe pathway from capsules to seat belts.
Children up to four years old must be restrained in the rear of a vehicle. A child aged 4 to 7 years old must be seated at the back, unless all the rear seat positions are occupied by other young children (under 7 years old).
An exemption from the national seatbelt laws is currently allowed where there is no suitable child restraint available in taxis and public minibuses. The exemption has not been implemented by some states. |
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