The effect of sanctions on Victorian speeding drivers

Abstract

Speeding is a major contributor to deaths and serious injuries in Australia. To assist in speed countermeasure development, VicRoads commissioned an examination of speeding offenders’ characteristics, re-offence and casualty crashes during and after periods of licence sanctions. These analyses aimed to determine the effects of the following sanctions: licence bans; the increase in speeding ban periods and demerit points for higher level speeding offences; additional demerit point bans for high-range offenders in addition to a 12-month speeding ban; and the good behaviour bond available as an alternative to the licence ban after reaching the demerit point threshold. The study had several positive findings, for example licence bans from speeding offences reduced speeding re-offending and casualty crashes; and there were lower re-offence rates for those who elected to take the good behaviour bond when reaching the demerit point limit.