Inquiry into the Road Safety Amendment (Car Doors) Bill 2012 Final ...

Findings
Finding 1
Findings
The offence proposed by the Bill already exists in the Road Safety Road Rules 2009.
Following changes made to these regulations on 31 July 2012, the maximum penalty for the
offence has been increased to 10 penalty units in line with the increased penalty proposed
by the Bill.
Finding 2
[Chapter 2]
The penalties for the offence of ‘car dooring’ under Road Rule 269(3) that were in force
when the Bill was referred to the Committee (an infringement notice of 1 penalty unit and a
maximum Court-imposed penalty of 3 penalty units) were insufficient and not proportionate
to its potential risks and consequences. The increased penalties (an infringement notice of
2.5 penalty units and a maximum of 10 penalty units) are more appropriate and are better
aligned with the gravity of the offence.
Finding 3
[Chapter 3]
There are strong arguments both for and against the introduction of demerit points for the
offence. The Committee was unable to reach agreement as to whether it is appropriate to
attach demerit points to the offence at this time.
[Chapter 3]
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