Speeding ban to triple for high-range leadfoots in safety crackdown

LICENCE suspensions will be tripled for high-range speeders as part of a wider push to reduce the number of lives lost on Victoria’s roads.

LICENCE suspensions will be tripled for high-range speeders in a crackdown to begin this year.

The tougher penalties are part of a wider push to reduce the number of lives lost on Victoria’s roads.

They will apply from November 1.

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Roads Minister Luke Donnellan says changes will mean longer licence suspensions for high-range speeding offences. Picture: Supplied

Under the changes, drivers nabbed travelling at 25kmh or more but less than 35kmh above the speed limit will face an automatic three months’ ­licence suspension.

The existing penalty is one month.

Roads Minister Luke Donnellan told the Sunday Herald Sun: “We make no apologies for getting tough on drivers who continue to put their own life or the lives of others at risk with their dangerous and reckless behaviour.

“Changes to come in later this year will mean longer licence suspensions for high-range speeding offences.”

Speeding contributes to about 70 road deaths and many more serious injuries across Victoria each year, with the risk of a casualty-crash increasing exponentially for every 5kmh increase over the speed limit.

A person is 10 times more likely to be injured while travelling 25kmh above the speed limit.

At 30kmh above the speed limit, they are 18 times more likely to be injured.

TAC road safety director Samantha Cockfield said the risk of crashing increased with speed.

“We strongly support greater deterrence for high-range speeding offences because the evidence unequivocally shows that speed is one of the biggest killers on our roads. The risk of crashing and being seriously injured or killed increases with even the smallest increments in travel speed, let alone 25kmh over the limit,” Ms Cockfield said.

TAC road safety director Samantha Cockfield says the risk of crashing increases with speed.

“The links between higher speeds and increased deaths and injuries are proven and, as a community, we should never value a couple of minutes in reduced travel time ahead of Victorian lives.”

Research proves heftier suspensions rather than demerit points send a stronger message of deterrence to drivers, according to road safety ­experts.

The speed clampdown follows harsh new penalties introduced this year targeting thousands of low-range drink drivers.

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