June 2014. [Full report (PDF)]
ACT Legislative Assembly concluded an inquiry into Vulnerable Road Users, being pedestrians, bicyclists, motor bike riders.
6.18 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government conduct a review of road rules at intersections and assess changes that could be made to existing road rules that would mitigate risks to vulnerable road users.
6.34 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government review the current cycling education programs available in ACT schools and that consideration is given to compulsory cycling training in all ACT primary schools.
6.43 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government closely monitor the traffic conditions at the intersection of Athllon Drive and Beasley Drive and provide a report to the Assembly by the end of 2014.
6.69 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government introduce awareness programs for cyclists and pedestrians that includes information about off road and shared paths with a particular focus on their responsibilities to share facilities safely with other users.
6.70 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government conduct a review and safety audit of shared paths and undertake modifications to reduce potential risks to users of those shared facilities.
6.95 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government conduct an audit of all pedestrian crossings to assess the safety and suitability of the crossing for the location. It is recommended that, in areas of high pedestrian and cycling activity, consideration should be given to installing shared crossings such as the example in De Burgh Street, Lyneham.
6.96 The Committee recommends that the requirement for cyclists to dismount at pedestrian crossings be amended to enable cyclists to remain on their bikes, but that they must slow to a walking pace prior to entering and when on the crossing.
6.111 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government review the current requirements that motorcycle riders must fulfil to obtain their learner and provisional licences and evaluate their effectiveness to provide novice drivers
with adequate skills and training.
6.112 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government provide ongoing funding to the Motorcycle Riders Association of the ACT to subsidise the Mature Aged Skills Transfer course delivered by Stay Upright.
6.130 The Committee recommends that a Vulnerable Road Users brochure be provided to all road users when registration renewals are mailed out. The brochure should include a profile of vulnerable road users and the safety issues that drivers need to be aware of.
6.131 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government establish a consultative group to develop a cyclists’ code of conduct document based on the principles outlined in the Victorian document Sharing roads and paths.
6.152 The Committee recommends that an external audit be conducted on the TAMS Crash Database to evaluate its operation and functionality to ensure it is meeting the needs of all agencies who access its information.
6.153 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government commission a research study to analyse the accuracy of accident data collected.
6.154 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government conduct an awareness raising campaigns to advise the ACT community of their obligations to report all accidents, including all single and multiple vehicle accidents. The awareness raising campaign should include providing information when registration renewals are sent out.
7.19 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government consider amending the ACT Road Rules to mandate a minimum overtaking distance of one metre in speed zones 60km/h and below.
7.20 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government consider amending the ACT Road Rules to mandate a minimum overtaking distance of one and a half metres in speed zones above 60km/h.
7.21 The Committee recommends that, when implementing the minimum overtaking distance, the ACT Government develop a comprehensive community awareness and education strategy to inform all road users of the minimum overtaking distance requirements.
7.36 The Committee recommends that the theoretical component of the drivers licence test be amended to place a greater focus on the examination of the road rules and associated issues as they relate to vulnerable road users.
7.37 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government review the 22 driver competencies that must be fulfilled to pass the practical component of the drivers licence test and consider the addition of a competency related to vulnerable road users.
7.47 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government undertake a review of attitudinal components of driver licence testing including current Australian driving tests, scientific literature and international experiences with a view to possible inclusion into ACT driving tests if appropriate.
7.90 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government examine the introduction of a strict liability scheme in the ACT. This examination should assess the impact of the scheme and include an analysis of alternative approaches, such as cascading rebuttable presumption.
7.91 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government present the outcomes from its examination of the introduction of a strict liability scheme in the ACT to the Legislative Assembly by March 2015.
7.106 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government consider implementing a trial of lower speed limits in school zones and, residential areas with high level of pedestrian and cycling activity in close proximity to shared paths.
7.107 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government conduct a review of the
speed limit hierarchy across all roads in the ACT.
7.120 The Committee recommends that the Minister for Territory and Municipal
Services conduct an evaluation of the trial announced in April 2014 to provide
defined separation between cyclists and other traffic. The results of the evaluation should be provided to the Legislative Assembly within three months of completion.
7.133 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government conduct a trial of motorcycle lane filtering and forward-stop boxes in Civic by March 2015. The trial should be independently monitored and evaluated and the results of the trial should be publicly available.
7.153 The Committee recommends that the ACT Government conduct a targeted education campaign to promote the safety benefits of wearing motorcycle protective clothing.
8.12 The Committee recommends that the ACT Road Rules be amended in such a way that motorised mobility scooters are recognised as a separate category.