of claims registered across eight years. Significantly, these figures have remained consistent in the four reports the NTARC has issued since 2002, meaning the proportion of crashes arising from inappropriate speed is not declining. It should be noted that the NTARC report criteria includes speed for the conditions’, which may still be within the posted speed limits. ‘inappropriate Although the literature generally recognises speed as a major cause of road incidents, the most recent Community Attitudes to Road Safety 2013 Survey Report indicates that many Australians – are becoming less conscious of the risks of speeding and also that they are more likely to tolerate or accept these risks than previously. The report noted that: Only 18 per cent had a or attitude to speeding. ‘conservative’ ‘cautious’ 68 per cent believed that speeding fines are mainly intended to raise revenue. 36 per cent believed that it is OK to speed if they think it is safe to do so. A declining number of respondents (66 per cent) believed that the chances of being involved in a crash increases significantly if their driving speed increases by 10 km/h. A declining number of respondents accepted the link between speeding and the severity of a crash. In addition, the report found that: Speed choice for truck drivers largely depended on the prevailing weather, traffic density, police presence and road conditions. Truck drivers are concerned about speed limit differentials between heavy vehicles and the prevailing speeds of other traffic. Some truck drivers consciously trade off speed and risks of prosecution and crashing, and they regard fines as a cost of doing business. Drivers appeared to be under considerable pressure from consignors and operators to deliver on time. Preliminary consultation The development of this has been informed by data and feedback from: Department of Planning and Transport Policy, South Australia Department of State Growth, Tasmania Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland Main Roads Western Australia South Australia Police Tasmania Police Transport for New South Wales VicRoads Victoria Police Western Australia Police National Heavy Vehicle Regulator. How to make submissions Any individual or organisation can make a submission to the NTC. To make an online submission, please visit and select from the top navigation ‘Submissions’ menu. Or, you can mail your comments to: Att: Enforcement approaches for speeding heavy vehicles Heavy Vehicle Compliance and Technology Team National Transport Commission Level 15/628 Bourke Street Melbourne VIC 3000
of claims registered across eight years. Significantly, these figures have remained consistent in the four reports the NTARC has issued since 2002, meaning the proportion of crashes arising from inappropriate speed is not declining. It should be noted that the NTARC report criteria includes ‘inappropriate speed for the conditions’, which may still be within the posted speed limits. Although the literature generally recognises speed as a major cause of road incidents, the most recent Community Attitudes to Road Safety – 2013 Survey Report indicates that many Australians are becoming less conscious of the risks of speeding and also that they are more likely to tolerate or accept these risks than previously. The report noted that: Only 18 per cent had a ‘conservative’ or ‘cautious’ attitude to speeding. 68 per cent believed that speeding fines are mainly intended to raise revenue. 36 per cent believed that it is OK to speed if they think it is safe to do so. A declining number of respondents (66 per cent) believed that the chances of being involved in a crash increases significantly if their driving speed increases by 10 km/h. A declining number of respondents accepted the link between speeding and the severity of a crash. In addition, the report found that: Speed choice for truck drivers largely depended on the prevailing weather, traffic density, police presence and road conditions. Truck drivers are concerned about speed limit differentials between heavy vehicles and the prevailing speeds of other traffic. Some truck drivers consciously trade off speed and risks of prosecution and crashing, and they regard fines as a cost of doing business. Drivers appeared to be under considerable pressure from consignors and operators to deliver on time. Preliminary consultation The development of this has been informed by data and feedback from: Department of Planning and Transport Policy, South Australia Department of State Growth, Tasmania Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland Main Roads Western Australia South Australia Police Tasmania Police Transport for New South Wales VicRoads Victoria Police Western Australia Police National Heavy Vehicle Regulator. How to make submissions Any individual or organisation can make a submission to the NTC. To make an online submission, please visit and select ‘Submissions’ from the top navigation menu. Or, you can mail your comments to: Att: Enforcement approaches for speeding heavy vehicles Heavy Vehicle Compliance and Technology Team National Transport Commission Level 15/628 Bourke Street Melbourne VIC 3000
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