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TRAFFIC (NEGLIGENT DRIVING OFFENCES) AMENDMENT
BILL 1994
NEW SOUTH WALES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This Explanatory Note relates to this Bill as introduced into Parliament)
This Bill is cognate with the Crimes (Dangerous Driving Offences) Amendment Bill
1994.
The object of this Bill is to amend the Traffic Act 1909 to implement certain
recommendations of the Staysafe Committee in its report tabled in the Legislative
Assembly on 8 March 1994 relating to section 4 (negligent, furious or reckless driving)
of the Act. At present a person who is convicted of the offence of driving a motor
vehicle negligently upon a public street is liable to a maximum penalty of 5 penalty
units (currently $500). The amendments retain that basic penalty, but also provide for
increased penalties where the negligence:
(a) occasions death (a maximum of 20 penalty units or 12 months imprisonment (or
both)); or
(b) occasions grievous bodily harm (a maximum of 15 penalty units or 6 months
imprisonment (or both)).
Clause 1 specifies the short title of the proposed Act.
Clause 2 provides for the commencement of the proposed Act on a day appointed
by proclamation.
Clause 3 is a formal provision which gives effect to the Schedule of amendments to
the Traffic Act 1909.
Schedule 1 makes the amendments described above.