Public servant leadfoots

VicRoads staff clock up hundreds of fines

LEADFOOT public servants at the state’s road authorities have been caught speeding and running red lights in taxpayerfunded vehicles.

Freedom of Information data shows VicRoads staff racked up 215 speeding tickets while driving fleet vehicles from 2016 to April this year.

And 24 staff members were fined for running red lights in taxpayer-funded vehicles in the same period.

Data shows a staff member was allegedly detected travelling 95kmh in a 80kmh zone in March. Another employee was allegedly detected travelling 31kmh over the 100kmh signposted limited along the Hume Highway in March last year, while another staff member was allegedly clocked travelling at 75kmh in a 40kmh in 2018.

Bureaucrats were issued 48 speeding fines in 2016, 44 in 2017, 71 in 2018 and 40 in 2019.

Twelve speeding fines were issued to VicRoads employees from January to April 16 this year.

The TAC, which releases staff traffic infringements, revealed 32 employees were slapped with speeding tickets while driving fleet cars in the same period, while seven staff were detected travelling through red lights.

Former Roads Minister Jaala Pulford last year directed VicRoads to review its training measures after the Addy revealed staff had been caught speeding.

A spokesman for current Roads and Road Safety Minister Ben Carroll said VicRoads was still reviewing how safe driving could be encouraged.

“Speeding and running red lights are serious road safety issues and those caught driving in fleet vehicles will face serious consequences, on top of any fines or other penalties.”

A Department of Transport spokesman said there were severe consequences for employees caught driving dangerously.

TAC’s Samantha Cockfield said all staff who received infringements must pay the fine and meet with the CEO.

Shadow Minister Road Safety and the TAC Brad Battin said all public servants must lead by example.