Tough new penalties for SA’s South Eastern Freeway

Loss of licence for first offence and possible gaol for exceeding speed limits

Truck drivers who exceed new speed limits and don’t use a low gear on the down-track of the South Eastern Freeway into Adelaide will lose their licences and face tougher penalties, including imprisonment, under new laws to go before Parliament.

The increase in penalties are the latest set of reforms to be introduced in response to coronial recommendations made into the death of truck driver James Venning and other serious and fatal crashes involving out-of-control trucks on the freeway.

Under the laws, heavy vehicle drivers who do not use low gear or observe the speed limit will automatically lose their licences for at least six months and be fined almost $1000 for a first offence.

For a second offence an automatic 12-month loss of licence will apply, with a three-year loss of licence for third and subsequent offences.

Courts will have the ability to impose more serious penalties including a 12-month licence disqualification for a first offence and three years for second or subsequent offences as well as imprisonment for up to two years.

The penalty for a company that fails to nominate a driver will increase from $300 to $25,000, while a court will be able to impose a maximum penalty of $50,000.

These new offences will only apply to heavy vehicles on a prescribed area of the South Eastern Freeway descent into Adelaide.

In a press release announcing the new penalties, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Stephen Mullighan said: “Using low gear and sticking to the 60km/h speed limit are fundamental to ensuring heavy vehicles can safely navigate the steep descent between Crafers and the Tollgate.”

Cameras along the South Eastern Freeway will receive a technology upgrade to greatly enhance their heavy vehicle detection capabilities including the ability to identify heavy vehicle combination, length, number of axles and automatic number plate recognition.

The State Government will also introduce a mandatory inspection scheme for 'high risk' heavy vehicles.

The changes will require amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act and the Road Traffic Act and will be accompanied by an extensive education campaign.

Tough new penalties for SA’s South Eastern Freeway

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