The ACT Greens will table a bill in the Legislative Assembly this week, in a bid to increase the maximum penalty for negligent driving on our roads.

Greens MLA Jo Clay wants to add an offence of ‘Negligent driving – harm to vulnerable road user’ and a maximum fine of $1600.

She says strong penalties often act as a good deterrent.

“It’s an insult, frankly, that someone can inflict lifelong injuries and drive away with a fine not much higher than if they’d been speeding and didn’t hit anyone,” Ms Clay said.

“If you don’t think you’re a vulnerable road user, think again.

“When we walk to school or ride a bike or motorbike to work, when we use a scooter to get to a meeting, cross the road to get on the bus or light rail – even if we drive most places – when we walk from our car to our final destination we are vulnerable road users.”