MORE POLICE AND A GREATER VISION FOR SAVING LIVES

WE'VE delivered more police than ever before, tougher penalties for
moronic dangerous drivers and an improved licensing system for our
young drivers.

When this Government came to office, there was no vision for saving
lives on SA roads.

We established the Road Safety Advisory Council, appointing Sir Eric
Neal as chair.

Assisted by police, safety and other groups, the council has made
some good suggestions.

We've toughened up drink driving laws and enforcement for the first
time in decades and anyone stupid enough to drive over 0.08 BAC now
loses their licence - on the spot.

Almost 500 drivers have been caught in the past month, some so drunk
that they could barely stand, but they still thought they could
drive a car. No one can legislate against stupidity.

We are the third jurisdiction in the world to legislate for drug
testing of drivers. For too long, people have been killing
themselves and others while influenced by illicit drugs. Figures
show 28 per cent of 2004 driver fatalities were found to have
cannabis or methamphetamine in their blood at the time of the crash.

New excessive speed penalties also cause anyone caught more than 45
km/h over the limit to lose their licence immediately, while
hundreds of hoon drivers who terrorise our neighbourhoods have had
their cars impounded.

SA currently boasts the largest police force in its history and our
recruitment of an extra 200 police is continuing.

In keeping with our Advisory Council's recommendations, this year
we've provided $1.54m to help police saturate rural roads with
enforcement campaigns.

We all have a road safety role as we work toward our ambitious SA
Strategic Plan target of reducing road deaths by 40 per cent by 2010.

Our overhaul of the Graduated Licensing System now forces novice
drivers to get more experience behind the wheel, spend more time on
their L and P plates and complete a computerised Hazard Perception Test.

We've also extended road safety lessons to younger students in Years
8 and 9, with road safety resources helping children as young as
kindergarten age.

On the roads, we're spending $266 million this year - more than
double what the Liberals did in their last year.

That includes shoulder sealing, black spot improvements, overtaking
lanes and upgrades of dangerous intersections.

We are also the first government to re-direct all proceeds from
speeding fines into new road safety initiatives.

I'm proud of our record, but there is more to be done and Labor will
continue to work with the experts in making SA roads safer.