Submitters push for third-party insurance

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Compulsory third-party insurance has more public support than any other road safety matter.

However, Transport Minister Steven Joyce remains unconvinced it would make the roads safer.

The Transport Ministry received more than 1500 submissions on its Safer Journeys discussion document, which will be used to formulate policy aimed at reducing the road toll.

Submitters ranked compulsory third-party insurance as their first priority, ahead of a zero blood-alcohol limit for young and inexperienced drivers and raising the driving age from 15 to 17.

There was also strong support for mandatory alcohol interlocks for recidivist drink-drivers, restricting young drivers from owning powerful or modified vehicles, random drug testing, reducing the legal adult alcohol limit and changing give way rules for turning traffic.

Mr Joyce will take a package of road safety proposals to the Cabinet early next year. They will include raising the driving age, extending the learner-licence period from six to 12 months and making the restricted licence test tougher.

Compulsory third-party insurance could be included in that package. But Mr Joyce said yesterday he was not sure if it would make any difference.

"There are some challenges as to whether it could have the positive effect people want it to have."

Third-party insurance has long been considered a way to control driver behaviour, particularly among boy-racers.

- © Fairfax NZ News