Today the NSW Road Minister Mr Dalley announced a new "fairer" demerit point system.

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25123834-5001021,00.html

(highlight whole link and drag into browser)

Proposed new points system

Up to 10 km/h 1 demerit point and $81
Between 11 km/h and 20 km/h 3 points and $180
Between 21 km/h and 30 km/h 4 points and $324

Between 31 km/h and 45 km/h over the limit, three months suspension $621 and 5 points.

It WILL help unwary drivers that blissfully cruise through a speed camera a few kilometers over the speed limit, but go through a school zone at the "out of school zone time" speed and you can be 10, 20, or 30 km/h over.

Then you cop an even larger fine than now, plus the points.

Flashing lights at all school zones could be the answer.
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Point to point speed cameras

Mr Dalley on the Chris Smith show on 2GB wouldn't promise that cars wouldn't be included in the point to point speed camera system proposed for trucks.

Don't you believe it, after it's up and running for trucks, the RTA/GOV after a couple of bad, highly publicised accidents will "reluctantly, in the interest of public safety" use them also for cars.

And who will criticize them for trying to make the road safer.

T
The roads minister said on the Ray Hadley show this morning (3/3/09)that there was no plan to include cars but if that happens he'd announce it on Ray's show.
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MEDIA RELEASE

27 February 2009

PRIVATE SCHOOL ZONE LIGHTS ROLLOUT COMMENCES

On 28 January 2009 school zone lights campaigner Peter Olsen announced the installation of flashing lights at Sophie Delezio's school. He also announced that similar lights would be made available to any other school in NSW that wanted them, through private sponsorship.

Today Mr Olsen has has released details of the first major sponsorship deal and the commencement of the rollout of private flashing lights to other schools.

"I am pleased to announce that Brydens Compensation Lawyers have generously offered to fund the installation of 20 sets of flashing lights at 10 schools in the Liverpool / Fairfield / Blacktown areas", Mr Olsen said.

"Brydens' CEO Paul Brandalise contacted me following the installation of the lights at Sophie's school. That led to a a meeting being held last week at which a deal was struck.

"The value of the deal in terms of what it saves the taxpayer is around $1.5M, when compared with what the RTA is spending.

"On 18th December 2006 the RTA awarded a tender for $1.475M for the installation of the exact same number of flashing lights, as part of the RTA's 2007 trial of flashing lights at 100 schools.

"Details of the tender are on the RTA's web site at http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/doingbusinesswithus/tenderscontracts/contractsawarded/roadsafety/less/200704211552032182.html

"Confirmation that it was for 10 sites only is at http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/newsevents/2006_11_schoolzones.html

"The total dollar value of the deal is $20,000 for the 20 sets of lights, which puts paid to the RTA's claim at http://www.schoolzonelights.com.au/media2009-01-28rta.pdf that reliable flashing lights cannot be installed for $1,000. The technology is the same as has been operating in Peakhurst and Lugarno with 100% reliability and zero maintenance cost for the past 2 years.

"The fact that a firm of lawyers is sponsoring the lights is significant because it confirms that there are no legal issues with them.

Unlike the RTA, Mr Olsen is also offering to include schools in the decision-making process for the selection of flashing light sites.

"According to the Roads Minister the RTA bases its selection criteria on "crash history and risk, traffic and pedestrian volumes, speed limits, road environment and visibility"", Mr Olsen said. "No mention is made of any input from schools and no account is taken of the near misses that schools and parents are aware of but that do not show up on RTA statistics.

"Many schools and parents have contacted me to complain that their pleas to the RTA for flashing lights at their schools have fallen on deaf ears.

"Schools, parents and teachers in the Liverpool, Fairfield and Blacktown Council areas are hereby officially invited to nominate school zones that they believe are most in need of flashing lights and their views will be taken into account. Requests can be submitted through the web site below. Home owners in those areas who live close to 40kmh signs are also invited to volunteer to host the flashing lights signs.

For more details contact:
Peter Olsen
13/55 The Grand Pde
Brighton-le-Sands 2216
9599-1811
0414-538-404
www.schoolzonelights.com.au

For Brydens Compensation Lawyers see
www.brydens.com.au