Days before a Legislative Assembly inquiry into vulnerable road users is due to report its findings, new ACT laws have been created giving special protections to cyclists and motorcyclists.
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Attorney-General Simon Corbell welcomed the reforms that target drivers who put other road users in danger.
Passed by members of the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, the laws will lead to drivers who endanger vulnerable road users facing increased fines and up to two years in prison.
The laws create offences of "aggravated" furious, reckless or dangerous driving.
Cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists in the ACT will become recognised as vulnerable road users, along with riders of animals, motorised scooters and Segways.
Aggravating offence factors created by the laws include failing to comply with a request or signal given by a police officer to stop a vehicle, evading police, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and driving at a speed more than 30 per cent above the area's limit.
Drivers will also face aggravated categories for driving with a person younger than 17 and being a repeat offender.
“These changes address the risks posed by furious, reckless or dangerous driving that has the potential to cause death or serious injury,” Mr Corbell said. “A driver convicted of furious, reckless or dangerous driving offences, where an aggravating factor is present, will face double the maximum penalty that would ordinarily apply.”
New maximum penalties for furious, reckless or dangerous driving where an aggravating factor is present will be 200 penalty units, imprisonment for two years or both.
“In addition, an individual’s driver’s licence is automatically disqualified for at least 12 months," Mr Corbell said. "The maximum penalty for the offence without an aggravating factor in the ACT remains at 100 penalty units, imprisonment for one year or both.”
Greens Minister Shane Rattenbury also welcomed the laws. “Road users like cyclists and pedestrians deserve better recognition in road-transport laws, and specific protections that recognise their unique circumstances on the road,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“This is the first time that ‘vulnerable road users’ has been defined in any legislation in Australia and I hope it is the start of many more policy reforms to better recognise and protect these road users.
“The intention is to not only better protect road users like pedestrians and cyclists, but also to help legitimise their presence, and to encourage more people to use these sustainable forms of transport."
Opposition leader Jeremy Hanson proposed amendments related to speeding at more than 30 per cent of signed limits and endangering vulnerable road users.
He said it was premature for the government to legislate provisions for vulnerable road users before the release of the Standing Committee on Planning, Environment and Territory and Municipal Services' report.
"The opposition was happy to support the legislation but the two amendments I moved would, in my view, have improved the legislation, but I still think it is a step forward in enhancing road safety in the ACT."
The report is due to be tabled in the assembly on Thursday.
