What we need to do is ALL write a letter or email to your local member and tell them how you feel and that you will vote based upon their response.
At the end of the day they are our elected officials to do what we want.
The fact is, the imposition of a speed limit on the open road has done nothing to lower the road toll in fact there is evidence that it has made the problem worse. People now are forced to drive late into the night more chance of hitting animals increased fatigue etc
More press about the NT road toll. I like the comments from the CLP. I hope they have the guts to follow through when they win the next election!!
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/12/31/2457430.htm
Posted Wed Dec 31, 2008 5:33pm AEDT
The Northern Territory Government isn't ruling out tougher penalties for road-related offences next year in an effort to reduce the road toll.
The Territory's road toll is 75, the worst in more than two decades.
The Acting Chief Minister Marion Scrymgour says the Government increased driver fines and penalties this year, and will continue its education campaigns.
"It is tragic. We don't want to see these accidents increase. If it means increasing the fines, that is an option that's available to Government and Government will take every measure available to them to try and look at how do we reduce those numbers from increasing."
But she says the community must also take responsibility.
"As Government you can put in place these reforms and hope your message is getting out there.
"Unfortunately you do have a group that will disregard those messages regardless of what you put in place.
"We can only encourage Territorians, everybody, before you get behind the wheel of a car to heed the warnings to be safe and to stay safe."
The Opposition says it remains committed to abolishing speed limits on Territory highways despite the soaring road toll.
Transport spokesman Adam Giles says drink drivers and people not wearing seat belts, not speed, is the main cause of road fatalities.
"Our policy at present is the creation of an open speed on the Stuart Highway, and we will continue that policy.
"However I have said we are prepared to review our policies in partnership with the Northern Territory Government to come up with a much safer package for the Northern Territory people."
He says the key to lowering the road toll is education.
"We have to get into the schools and educate school students on the problems of drink driving and merits of road safety, we can encourage younger drivers to purchase lower powered vehicles."