Today, the ACT Government has responded to 28 recommendations from the Standing Committee Inquiry into Dangerous Driving in the ACT.
Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury says the Government shares the concern of Inquiry participants and the broader community about dangerous driving.
“Firstly, I would like to acknowledge and thank the significant number of victims and families of victims of road incidents who engaged with the Inquiry by the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety as a witness or by providing submissions.
“On behalf of the Government, I extend my gratitude and appreciation to each of you who have contributed to the Inquiry on Dangerous Driving, despite the immense pain and loss you have endured,” Attorney-General Rattenbury said.
“Your willingness to share your stories and experiences has been an essential part of our efforts to understand and address the pressing issue of dangerous driving in our community.
“Our response is a whole-of government approach designed to reduce this serious harm in our community. Our commitment to the safety of our community remains unwavering and it is our responsibility to ensure that the measures we put in place are effective and practical, with the goal of reducing dangerous driving and preventing further tragedies on our roads.”
In its response presented to the Committee today, the Government has agreed to nine of the recommendations, agreed as existing Government policy to a further two, agreed in principle to six, noted seven and does not agree with four of the 28 recommendations.
The Government has already made progress as part of new work to keep the community safe. This week, the Assembly will debate a Bill that seeks to create a new criminal offence to prohibit the unauthorised entry of a motor vehicle without a reasonable excuse.
“The new offence of unauthorised entry of a motor vehicle will address criminal activity such as carpark break-ins and a person entering unlocked vehicles to steal the contents of a vehicle.” said Attorney-General Rattenbury.
“It aims to fill a gap in the criminal law as previously it was only an offence to charge and convict a person if there was proof the person was driving the vehicle.
“The new offence will ensure people are held accountable for their behaviour and help address the issue of motor vehicle theft and associated dangerous driving and other crimes in the ACT.
The Government response can be found on the Legislative Assembly website.
