Knight wants $10,000 fine for driving without a licence withdrawn

Opposition Senator KD Knight today called for the government to remove the penalty of $10,000 for a motorist who operates his or her vehicle without being in possession of a driver's licence.

The fine is contained in the new Road Traffic Act, which was further debated in the Senate this afternoon.

Knight, in his contribution to the debate, argued that instead of being fined drivers should be given two days to produce the licence to the police.

He also called for the licence of a driver who exceeds the speed limit by 50 kilometres per hour or more in a school or construction zone to be suspended for six months.

Under the proposed act, the offence carries a penalty of six demerit points.

But, Knight wants a stronger penalty.

“These are danger zones, people must know that you can’t just do that. That is reckless driving and if you drive recklessly in those areas your licence must be taken away. Six months and you’ve got to go to a driving school to get it back,” said Knight.

“You have to look now at your braking capacity. How are you going to brake if you have to swerve? what are you swerving into?” he added. 

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