sa motor
The new fuel efficiency rules should increase the availability of EVs like the Hyundai Ioniq 6.
Australia set to introduce a New Vehicle Efficiency Standard
Australia and Russia are the only two developed nations without a fuel efficiency standard, which helps reduce transport pollution and ease fuel costs. But this is set to change with the Federal Government announcing plans to introduce – subject to parliamentary approval – a New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) next year.
The initiative means car makers will need to supply more electric and fuel-efficient vehicles to Australian buyers.
Fuel efficiency standards already apply to more than 85 per cent of the global car market and the NVES will help Australia catch up to equivalent standards in other major markets by 2028.
All manufacturers will have a yearly limit on the average carbon emissions across their new vehicle sales. As that limit reduces over time, manufacturers will need to offer more zero and low-emissions vehicles to avoid penalties.
The NVES covers SUVs, vans and utes, so manufacturers will be more likely to sell more efficient versions of these vehicles in Australia, not just overseas.
Even though the European Union currently has stricter emissions standards in place, popular large vehicles such as the Toyota Hilux, Landcruiser and Ford Ranger continue to be sold.
RAA Mobility Technology Specialist Mark Borlace says RAA welcomes the reforms.
“This initiative helps us catch up to Europe and the US and will incentivise car makers to supply more electric and fuel-efficient vehicles to our market,” Mark says. “This will reduce emissions and provide greater fuel savings to motorists.”
RAA is working with the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) to review the government’s preferred options in detail.
“We’d like to see the modelling the government used to set these targets to understand better the potential impacts on the vehicle market, including changes to cost and choice,” Mark says.
For more information, visit infrastructure.gov.au and search for NVES.
SA road in focus
In each edition of sa move, we shine the spotlight on a South Australian road.
Length
Casualty crashes
Minor injuries
Serious injuries
Fatalities
The road: Portrush Road
Why it’s a focus
Portrush Road runs between Payneham Road and Cross Road. It’s part of the National Land Transport network and carries high volumes of freight. Up to 39,000 vehicles travel on the road each day and about eight per cent of these are commercial vehicles as large as B-double trucks.
Crash history (2018–2022)
Most Portrush Road casualty crashes occur at intersections, with the Payneham Road intersection recording the highest number of crashes. Rearend crashes were the most common crash type on Portrush Road, making up about 40 per cent of casualty crashes. Last year, there were a further two lives lost – a cyclist and a motorcyclist.
What RAA has done
RAA receives regular reports from members and the community about issues on Portrush Road. These are usually about the road’s surface condition or safety at intersections and crossings.
RAA has investigated these concerns and contacted relevant road authorities to advocate for safety improvements. This advocacy has been successful on several occasions, including recently when tree trimming works were completed near the Trinity Gardens School crossing.
RAA has also inspected pit covers in the wheel path across all lanes on Portrush Road, where about 33 per cent (more than 70) exceed the calculated comfort benchmark. These findings were forwarded to SA Water and the report is available to view.
In RAA’s recent Risky Rides cycling infrastructure campaign, survey respondents said Portrush Road was risky for cyclists at intersections, as well as generally being an undesirable connection between the inner southern and eastern suburbs and the Crafers Bikeway.
What RAA wants done
RAA welcomes the major upgrade at the Portrush Road and Magill Road intersection and would like to see continued investment along the busy arterial route. RAA has recommended further safety improvements to various intersections and crossings, including at the bottom of the South Eastern Freeway in Glen Osmond.
RAA would also like to see road maintenance funding for pavement rehabilitation works on Portrush Road, particularly near Payneham Road.
RAA is pushing for other improvements, which may impact traffic on Portrush Road, including upgrades to the Greater Adelaide freight bypass route. We support investment in the Greater Adelaide freight bypass to provide a viable alternative for heavy vehicles using the South Eastern Freeway and Portrush Road or Cross Road, and combat growth in heavy vehicle movements we’ve seen on these corridors.
RAA has also investigated members’ safety and access concerns in the Glenunga area and forwarded its findings to the State Government.
What is the Victims of Crime Levy?
If you’ve ever received an expiation notice, you’ll know there’s a Victims of Crime (VoC) Levy added to the fine. RAA Senior Manager of Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain explains this levy and its purpose.
Since 1969, South Australia has provided financial support to eligible victims of crime. The VoC Levy supports victims of crime (including close relatives) with monetary compensation if they suffer physical and/or psychological injury, pain and suffering, and financial losses such as loss of earnings or treatment costs.
Applications for compensation are usually made by legal representatives of victims after a criminal matter has been dealt with by the relevant court. The amount of compensation depends on matters such as when the crime occurred, the nature of any injuries and whether the victim contributed to them, and whether the victim cooperated with authorities during the investigation and prosecution.
The current maximum payout for crimes occurring since 1 July 2015 is $100,000.
Other than through the VoC Levy, the VoC Fund receives money from the South Australian Parliament, confiscated proceeds of crime and a proportion of some fines paid by offenders.
SA is the only Australian state where a VoC Levy (currently $99) is applied to all expiation notices and court fines, regardless of the offence.
The VoC Levy is paid into the VoC Fund and applies to common traffic offences like speeding and running red lights, and offences like jaywalking and littering when issued by SA Police. The VoC Levy doesn’t apply to council-issued fines. To finalise an expiation notice, both the fine and the levy must be paid.
The VoC Levy amount is determined by the Attorney General’s Department, which also administers the levy and fund with the Department of Treasury and Finance.
Slow down for yellow
Motorists will need to slow down to 25km/h when passing roadside breakdown vehicles when their lights are flashing, under proposed changes to a State Government law.
The law that currently applies to emergency service vehicles will be expanded to include roadside breakdown and recovery vehicles, including RAA patrols.
Between 2019 and 2023, there were 20 safety incidents caused by cars driving past breakdowns without due care, according to RAA Road Service data. This included five incidents where RAA patrol vans were hit by a car or motorcycle, and another five where traffic cones were hit or dragged along the road.
RAA Senior Manager of Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain says RAA welcomes the move, which will improve safety for RAA members and patrols.
“No-one chooses when or where they break down, and we welcome any measure that helps keep our patrols, members and the community safe at the roadside,” Charles says.
“We’ve seen dozens of near misses and our patrol vans have been hit five times in the past few years so it’s only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed.”
The legislation is set to be introduced to parliament and, if passed, is expected to come into effect later this year.
A raft of changes made to SA road rules
New U-turn laws and fines for parking in EV charging bays are among road rule changes that have come into effect.
The recent changes to the Australian Road Rules help clarify the responsibilities for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians in a variety of scenarios.
The following road-rule changes have been made: • Drivers entering a road from a road-related area must give way to a motorist doing a U-turn. • U-turns at pedestrian crossings, rail crossings and signalised road-related areas are now prohibited. • Cyclists can now claim a lane when entering and riding in a roundabout. • Parking in an electric vehicle charging bay while not charging will now attract a fine. • Motorists can have their car engine running or keys in the ignition while using an electronic device, if the vehicle is legally parked.
The State Government has also removed restrictions on the sale and use of certain non-standard child restraints. This makes it easer for parents and carers of children with a medical condition or disability to source specifically designed child restraints.
Parents and carers of children with a medical condition or disability will no longer need to have their vehicle and child restraint inspected, but they will still need to carry a certificate from a medical practitioner when driving.
RAA Senior Traffic Engineer Matt Vertudaches says RAA welcomes the recent changes to the rules.
“RAA is supportive of the amendments to the Australian Road Rules, which clarify some situations for all road users,” Matt says.| Do you have a road rules question?
Email or call RAA’s road safety team on 8202 4517.
RAA offers big savings on new cars
Since its launch late last year, RAA’s free New Car Buyer service has helped more than 800 South Aussies find the best offers on current model cars from dealerships across Australia.
New Car Buyer can help you find the best deal on new cars that are available now, without the hassle of visiting multiple dealerships or haggling about the price.
All you need to do is pick the car you want, enter the details on the website and then review the offers from dealers, including pricing and availability.
Choose the best deal, contact the dealer, finalise the sale, and your new set of wheels is on its way. To drive a hard bargain on your next new vehicle purchase, visit newcarbuyer.raa.com.au.
IMAGES: Newspress Australia; Getty; RAA/Wil Stevens.
