2016-09-15
Greens MLC Lynn MacLaren has welcomed a Victorian Parliamentary inquiry report released today which calls for minimum safe passing distances for vehicles approaching bicycles to be applied in that State, in tandem with community education about the laws and improvements in cycling infrastructure.
“The cross-party Parliamentary inquiry in Victoria has drawn conclusions about safe passing distance laws that could equally apply in WA,” Ms MacLaren said.
“The WA Greens first introduced a Bill for safe passing distances in the WA Parliament in March 2014 and have been championing their cause ever since, while other States and Territories have moved to introduce similar laws or trials.
“As is recommended by the report tabled by Victorian MPs today, the Greens are calling for a minimum one metre safe passing distance to be given by vehicles approaching bike-riders within a 60km an hour or less zone and 1.5m where the allowable speed is above 60kmh.
“I urge the WA Attorney General and Road Safety Minister to read the Victorian report and consider its recommendations, particularly in regard to measures to be undertaken in tandem with new safe passing distance rules, such as community education and training for police about the rule changes.
“The WA Attorney General has expressed concern that judging when there has been an infringement would be problematic but that has never been a compelling reason to not introduce these laws. As this report states, there are emerging technologies which may help with improving accurate measurement of distances.”
Related campaign: Making Cycling SaferRelated portfolios: Transport