Territory Government announces major changes to speeding fines from February 1

SPEEDING fines will double for high range speeders to up to $1000 from February 1, the Territory Government has announced.

aussie cash

SPEEDING fines will double for high range speeders to up to $1000 from February 1, the Territory Government has announced.

Fines for speeding between 0 and 15km/h will increase from $100 to $150, 15km/h-30km/h from $200 to $300, 30km/h-45km/h from $300 to $600, and 45km/h and over will rise from $500 to $1000.

The changes come into force on the same day an open speed limit trial will start on a 200km stretch of road on the Stuart Highway.

Chief Minister Adam Giles only announced the move after the NT News first questioned the Government on the changes just after 9am this morning.

Government adviser Lucy Buhr first replied to the NT News at 4.29pm - confirming the changes - before Mr Giles' head of communications Bruce Cutler put out a press release to all media 15 minutes later.

“All motorists want to be able to drive on a safer road network and these new safety measures will help achieve this,” Mr Giles said.

“If you continue to obey the speed limit and the law, then these new infringement increases will not have any effect on you.

“Reckless and dangerous driving is not condoned by our community and these increases will bring the Territory’s speeding fines closer to those that apply across the country."

Medical professionals from The Royal Australasian College of Physicians, The Australian Medical Association Northern Territory, The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine have joined forces and will tomorrow call for the scrapping of the planned open speed limit trial on the Stuart Highway.

The medical organisations believe any open speed limit is irresponsible and
dangerous.

Speed limits will be abolished on a 200km section of the highway between Alice Springs and Barrow Creek for 12 months from February 1.

GREEDY OR SMART ROAD SAFETY MOVE? Have your say below.