Fine hike to hit disadvantaged Queenslanders hard

Queensland is about to become the most expensive state for rule-breaking motorists.

But while the state government defends its efforts to lower the road toll, there are warnings the fine hike will disproportionately affect those already disadvantaged by poverty and rising cost-of-living pressures.

From July 1, Queensland will have by far the nation’s biggest fines for handling a mobile phone while driving and not wearing a seatbelt.

Speeding motorists in Queensland will pay a lot more from July 1.

At the same time, through what the government called its Queensland Road Safety Strategy 2022-31, speeding fines will also skyrocket.

Driving up to 10km/h over the limit will attract a $287 fine, up from $183. For 11-20km/h over the limit, the fine will rise from $275 to $431; for 21-30km/h, $459 to $646; for 31-40km/h, $643 to $1078; and for more than 40km/h, from $1286 to $1653.

Those were significant increases for any motorist, but Queensland Council of Social Service chief executive Aimee McVeigh said it would be the already disadvantaged who would be hit the hardest.

“The main impact of increasing fines is that you’re going to push people who are already disadvantaged who are already living in poverty into further disadvantage,” she said.

“People on low incomes are currently making really tough choices — skipping meals, skipping medications — in order to pay electricity bills and keep a roof over their head.

“Pushing people into debt into programs where they have to pay off debts is not acceptable.

“We need to take a different approach with people on low incomes, we need to look at debts that they already hold and develop a process of debt forgiveness and create a policy response that doesn’t push people who are disadvantaged into even further entrenched poverty.”

Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey was unapologetic, and pointed to the 138 lives that had been lost on the state’s roads so far this year, 17 more than the same time last year.

“2022 has been the worst year on our roads in Queensland for over a decade,” he said.

Bailey said the new fine regime was settled upon after the state government sought expert advice.

“The advice is, increasing these penalties will deliver a stronger message to people who are endangering other people’s lives on our roads,” he said.

Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey has defended the increased fines.Credit: Dan Peled/AAP

“If people have respect for each other and drive safely every time they drive, then they have nothing to fear.

“If people are caught driving dangerously, there are options available to set up payment plans for fines over $200.”

A question of whether means-tested fines, in which people who earned more would pay more, had ever been considered went unanswered.

State opposition transport spokesman Steve Minnikin said while the LNP took road safety “very seriously”, it questioned the timing of the fine hike.

“The Palaszczuk government made a decision to increase fines to act as a deterrent,” he said.

“However, [it] is yet to explain how these fines will be recovered in light of the ongoing and well publicised failings of the State Penalties Enforcement Registry, as well as a full-blown cost of living crisis affecting Queensland families.”

The new fine regime comes at the same time the Queensland government continues to roll out cameras, designed to capture drivers either using their hand-held mobile phones or not wearing a seatbelt.

Within the first six months of their operation, the cameras caught 28,779 motorists not wearing their seatbelts properly, or at all.

“We gave people a lot of warning that these were coming and if you’re doing the wrong thing, driving distracted or not got your seatbelt on, you’re going to be in a lot of trouble,” Bailey said earlier this month.

“... If you’re one of these people that is driving distracted, you will get caught. There is no doubt about it whatsoever and it’s going to hurt.

“Make the over $1000 and four demerit points, because it’s dangerous and it’s killing people on our roads.”

Also coinciding with the fine hike was a Brisbane City Council announcement that it would reduce speed limits on 12 inner-city roads.

This month, Longland, Stratton, Kyabra, Doggett, Masters, Wyatt, Wyandra and Helen streets in Newstead and Teneriffe will reduce from 50 to 40km/h.

In South Brisbane, Stanley Street and parts of Vulture Street will reduce from 60 to 40km/h, while Graham Street and Raymond Terrace will reduce from 50 to 40km/h.

“We are committed to doing everything we can to help increase safety for all road users and get you home sooner and safer,” Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said.

“We are reducing speed limits by 10km/h in Newstead and up to 20km/h in parts of South Brisbane as this gives all road users more time to make safer decisions.

“Those decisions can have lasting impacts on our loved ones, and we fully support the outcomes of the speed limit review.”