Transport Act modernised today

Transport Minister and Tauranga MP Simon Bridges says the new Land Transport Act promotes better regulation, improves safety, and greater economic growth and productivity. Photo: Supplied.

More flexibility in small passenger services, mandatory alcohol interlock sentences, and tougher penalties for fleeing drivers will all become law following the passing of the Land Transport Amendment Bill today, says Transport Minister and Tauranga MP Simon Bridges.

The Bill aims to promote better regulation, improved safety, and greater economic growth and productivity.

'New technologies are rapidly emerging, so we need to ensure we have the right regulations in place to allow innovation to thrive while managing safety risks,” says Simon.

'Smartphone apps and other advances in technology have changed how the small passenger service sector can operate.

'This Bill creates a single, simple category for all small passenger services, provides greater flexibility for emerging business models and encourages innovation, while ensuring safety for drivers and passengers.

'This Bill also improves safety for road users by simplifying the law relating to alcohol interlocks, and creating more effective deterrents to drivers fleeing from police.

'Alcohol interlocks are very effective as a public safety measure because they physically prevent an offender driving after drinking. This keeps the driver, their passengers and other road users safe.

'We'll also see changes to clamp down on fleeing drivers and fare evaders.

Crashes involving a fleeing driver where people have been killed or injured have nearly doubled from 60 in 2012 to 117 in 2016, says Simon. Increasing the penalties for fleeing drivers sends a clear message the behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

The new Bill also give enforcement officers new powers to more effectively deal with fare evaders, which he says is a growing problem.

'Fare evaders increase the costs of public transport for paying passengers, as well as taxpayers and ratepayers who subsidise these services. It undermines the integrity of the ticketing systems used and the effectiveness of public transport generally,” says Simon.

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2 comments

Yet

Posted on 04-08-2017 23:19 | By namxa

Still a two lane back road being the main thoroughfare from Tauranga to Auckland? How long before you decide to upgrade this road Mr B?I'm guessing you never will. It'll take someone with more guts than you have, young fulla.


me wonders

Posted on 06-08-2017 16:42 | By old trucker

if SIMPLE has a class 5 licence and drive from Tga to Auckland too see what its like, (but hangon) he does not care as he is flown,(i believe ) by contract airline, he has NO IDEA, what it is like in a 60 ton rig Super Quad, agree with namxa he has NO GUTS to stand up for us, (BUT) has his mug on Bill boards everywhere with promises, and all the money being put forward before election time,BUT only if you vote for him, otherwise stiff lollies, my thoughts only on this subject, SUNLIVE IS THE BEST FOR NEWS IN THE BAY,AND WON AS THE BEST, AWESOME No1,Thankyou, 10-4 out.


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