NT to trial open speed limits

Chief Minister of the Northern Territory government, Adam Giles, has flagged an increase to the cost of the fines drivers will face if they drive over the speed limit in the Territory, the severest penalty doubling from $500 to $1000.

Compared to some Australian states, the NT's fines are still relatively low, with drivers caught speeding by up 15km/h fined $150, up from $100, and losing one demerit point.

By comparison, drivers in Victoria caught between 10 and 15km/h over the limit are fined $289 and lose three demerit points.

"As part of our tough stance on road safety, we have introduced lower speed limits where necessary, red light and speed cameras and we continue repair and maintenance of our roads to ensure maximum safety. This is another step to keep motorists safe," said Giles.

Although the NT's new fee structure begins on February 1, 2014, the fines won't apply on a 200km/h stretch of the Stuart Highway in the Northern Territory between Barrow Creek south and Alice Springs. It is part of a 12-month trial to abolish speed limits, as reported last year.

The timing of the unrestricted speed limits and increased speeding fines elsewhere in the Territory coincide.

There has been widespread opposition to the new 12-month unlimited speed zone trial, including from a group of doctors representing the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons among others, who have advised the NT's Chief Minister to reassess the trial.

The head of the Pedestrian Council of Australia, Harold Scruby, has been the most vocal opponent to the removal of speed limits on the 200km stretch of the Stuart Highway which has had a $3.1 million upgrade, and recently attacked Giles for his plan.

According to the NT News, Scruby says the trial is "despicable" and that "people are going to die as a result of this decision as every hoon will be going up to test their car there".

He has demanded the NT Chief Minister's resignation along with his entire 'hillbilly' government for "supporting such an anti-road safety decision".

Chief Minister Giles has fired back, saying Scruby was "a waste of space" and that he should "start advocating for pedestrians and not talk about speed," because "more pedestrians die each year than drivers at speed".

Asked by the NT News about a petition Scruby was fielding to have the trial abolished, Giles responded angrily: "He can do a petition but I’ll say put the petition up your backside. He needs to look after pedestrians or get a life."

Before 2007 many major highways in the Northern Territory had no speed limits, when the then Labor Government changed the laws and placed 130km/h limits.

2014 NT speeding fine increases