June 26, 2026
The State Government plans to ramp up penalties for dangerous drivers in two new pieces of legislation introduced into Parliament this week.
Changes include:
- Increasing maximum penalties for some motor vehicle offences, including up to seven years’ jail where no death or grievous bodily harm is caused, and up to 25 years’ jail where death or grievous bodily harm occurs
- Increasing minimum licence disqualification periods, especially for offences involving death or grievous bodily harm, aggravated offending and repeat offenders
- Expanding mandatory jail requirements for serious and repeat dangerous driving offenders
From December 1:
- Doubled penalties for drug driving, with higher fines and longer licence disqualifications
- Stronger penalties for combined drink and drug offences
- Minimum court-imposed fines
- Immediate six-month licence suspensions for drivers caught more than 40km/h over the speed limit
- Improved seatbelt enforcement, allowing drivers to nominate adult passengers so the right person is held accountable
Next year, the State Government also plans to streamline roadside drug testing, enabling more tests and faster enforcement, introduce a mandatory drug-driving education program to tackle repeat offending; and strengthen enforcement of camera-detected seatbelt offences.
“Dangerous drivers and violent offenders are putting lives at risk, and these changes ensure the consequences match that behaviour,” Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said.
