ROGUE ROAD RUNNERS

67 staff nabbed breaking limit in cars you paid for Minister calls for action over alarming numbers

LEADFOOT public servants employed by the state’s road authorities have been caught speeding in taxpayer-funded vehicles.

New data reveals 57 VicRoads staff members were caught breaking the speed limit last year, with 10 TAC employees also slapped with speeding tickets.

STAFF at the state’s road authority have been caught speeding in taxpayer-funded vehicles.

The State Government has poured millions into the Towards Zero road safety strategy, rolled out in partnership with VicRoads and the Geelong-based Transport Accident Commission.

But data shows 57 of VicRoads’ staff were caught speeding last year in government vehicles.

The number has prompted Roads Minister Jaala Pulford to order VicRoads to review its training measures.

“Any incident of speeding is unacceptable — and I’m concerned about the number of incidents over the past 12 months,” Ms Pulford said.

“I’ve asked VicRoads to review all measures and training in place to ensure staff are reminded of the importance of acting safely behind the wheel.”

VicRoads has refused to release details of the infringements, including where they were issued, the speeds and the road’s designated speed limit.

Opposition roads spokesman Gordon Rich-Phillips implored the authority to release the details.

“VicRoads sets the speed limits and Victorians have a right to know where and by how much VicRoads staff break those speed limits,” Mr Rich-Phillips said.

“Victorians expect VicRoads and TAC staff to adhere to the same speed limits they impose on the rest of the community.”

The TAC — which releases staff traffic infringements — revealed 10 employees were slapped with speeding tickets while driving fleet cars in the same period.

One employee was nabbed driving 98km/h in an 80km/h zone. Four TAC staff were also fined for running red lights.

VicRoads director of safety and ethical behaviour Kathryn Taylor said speeding was taken very seriously.

“Speeding, whether a private citizen or government employee, is unacceptable and is an issue we take very seriously,” Ms Taylor said.

She said staff caught speeding in a fleet vehicle would incur all fines and demerit points, and may be subject to disciplinary action.

“The safety of the road network is our No.1 priority, which is why we require all VicRoads staff behave appropriately,” she said.

When an infringement notice is issued to VicRoads, the fine is reissued to the staff member driving the vehicle.

The staff member must pay the fine and claim the demerit points, while their manager is also notified.

TAC head of community relations Amanda Bavin said any staff infringements undermined the authority’s work to create safer roads.

“The most effective way to encourage safe driving is through education and this is why the TAC implements a strict safe driving policy and continues to educate staff on the importance of road safety,” Ms Bavin said.

“The community looks to us to lead by example and we’re doing everything we can to ensure our 800-plus people are doing the right thing.”