Since moving from Western Australia to Victoria, I've devoted my life to building a small cleaning business that serves clients across the Latrobe Valley Region, from Traralgon to Drouin and Neerim South to Churchill. As a sole trader, I spend countless hours on the road to ensure my clients receive timely and reliable service. Despite being a cautious driver, the disproportionate penalties for minor speeding violations in Victoria have nearly dismantled my burgeoning business. Recently, I faced a three-month license suspension due to these fines, putting my business and livelihood in jeopardy.

Victoria's speeding fines and demerit points system currently has penalties that are both financially crippling and punitive. For daily commuters and essential workers like me, these penalties disproportionately impact our ability to work and sustain ourselves. A single unintentional minor speeding infraction can result in exorbitant fines and significant demerit points, jeopardizing livelihoods in a heartbeat. $261 and 1 demerit point for driving 63kms in a 60 zone.. Driving with the flow of traffic which then means every vehicle both Infront and behind me travelling at the speed would all have received the same penalty.

The current system overly punishes drivers with extreme financial penalties and lengthy license suspension periods that are not in proportion with the severity of infractions. This is not only negatively impacting individuals and families but also local economies dependent on small businesses.

I'm posing the question do these heavy penalties reduce the amount of accidents and fatalities or do they put more unnecessary stress and strain in people, small business and families that are just trying to get on-top of their finances and does it seem more like extortive revenue making?

Research indicates that effective traffic regulation balances fair punishment with educational reform. Many believe that the current penalty system in Victoria is not achieving its intended goal of reducing traffic violations; instead, it is generating undue financial stress for independent workers.

We propose that the Victorian government reconsider and reform the current traffic penalty system. By reducing the under 10kms over the limit bracket to  be separate from 5kms and under over the limit bracket.

6-10kms over the limit = $200 fine (Demerit Points start after the second fine.

1-5kms over the limit =  $100 fine after 3rd infringement. (NO demerit point)

By implementing a more flexible demerit point system, as suggested above we can maintain road safety without harshly impacting those who rely on their vehicles to make a living.

By signing this petition, you support the call for reasonable traffic laws that enable workers to thrive without fear of losing their livelihoods to draconian penalties. Together, we can push for a system that is just and balanced, securing the wellbeing of our communities and our roads. Sign to make a difference!