Start the Change

Independent traffic studies on Sydney's worst traffic experience along Pennant Hills road between the M7 and F3 leave no doubt about its urgency to be fixed.

Despite years of talking, deliberation and review, no government has managed to act. Traffic congestion, pollution and accidents have surged beyond managable or acceptable safety standards.

Which politician is strong enough to stand up and act on behalf of the people of NSW?

We need a cap on tolls there should be a maximum toll cost per day. some of us have to use 3 or 4 tolls roads to get to and from work.

Just a little FYI to any NSW political candidate or party; if you finally decide to fund the Barton Highway duplication and Murrumbateman by-pass you can be guaranteed a tonne of votes come Election Day.

I would like to know exactly what has been spent by the various utilities on maintenance and new infrastructure - electricity, water, and roads especially. The poor citizen of this State has contributed many many millions to these utilities, yet apart from the essentials we see nothing new, just band-aids on old infrastructure.

Where has the profits gone - if they have gone to the State Government, what has been done with the month.

Last Monday my family travelled to Coffs Harbour by train. (a distance of 530 km). If the highway ever gets finished it would probably be 5 1/2 hrs by road. Well we live at Rooty Hill about 50km west of the CBD. We could not get the train to Strathfield station early in the morning as the trains are crowded and have no provision for luggage. So we got a mini bus. As the train was leaving at 7.30am and we had to book in 1/2 hour earlier, because the M4 is usually a parking station in peak hour we had to leave home at 5.30am to be sure we were on time. Then the train trip from hell. 7.30 am until 4.30 pm  nine hours to cover 500 km. I think they are using the 1910 timetable not the 2010 timetable. All up 11 hours to get to Coffs Harbour from Sydney.

My biggest gripe is the people of this state have paid enough taxes to have decent train travel, but all the money gets wasted (the CBD metro for example). The government wastes money without blinking an eye as though it is their money. It is our money.

For our sake get into power, cut the beaurocracy, stop wasting money and get things done.

First of all I didn’t like you testimonial about the Mobile Speed cameras; I would like to see more Highway Patrol on our roads than a camouflaged car with a camera inside it giving me a penalty of 1 or 3 points and fine because I have committed an error of “speeding” 10km above the limit. We are not children but we do commit mistakes as it does make the word revenue famous. As a car enthusiast I would love to see rules that make driving a pleasure and not tension. Seeing the police will make exaggerated speeding less.

As for the actual learning system we actually have is absurd, but very easy to fix just take a look at the European Union learning system. Raise the age limit to 18 and get rid of the L out of their parent’s cars and into certified by RTA driving schools. After they to qualify to drive don't let them drive above 1800cc engine.  It makes so much of a difference. Why not even have the new L Platers and everyone that renews their license obligated to do an Advanced Driving course. I know it will raise issues with the elderly drivers but I do think some solution will come out. Even better get rid of some Automobiles that have no security and no reason to be on our [roads].

Listen to our radio commercial about the traffic chaos on the F3.  Have your say below, spread the word and share this with your friends.

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NSW is losing the battle against dangerous driving.  

In January 2010 there were 45 road deaths in NSW.[1] Compared to January 2009, this is a 73 per cent increase.[2]

During the twelve months ended January 2010, there were a total of 481 deaths on our roads, compared to 372 deaths during the twelve months until January 2009.

Number of Road Crash Deaths in Each State / Territory[3]

	Feb 2009 – Jan 2010	February 2008 – Jan 2009	% Difference
NSW	481	372	29.3
Vic	284	306	-7.2
Qld	317	327	-3.1
SA	134	100	34.0
WA	195	208	-6.3
Tas	57	46	23.9
NT	33	75	-56.0
ACT	12	13	-7.7
Australia	1,513	1,447	4.6

The NSW Liberals & Nationals believe a new approach is needed to licensing NSW drivers, an approach that rewards good behaviour and punishes bad behaviour.

In government we will introduce our Fair Go for Safe Drivers strategy, which takes a “carrot and stick” approach to road safety.

Under a Fair Go for Safe Drivers, safe drivers who have a driving record free of an offence for at least five years will have their licence renewal fees cut by fifty per cent. This discount will apply whether the licence is renewed for 1, 3 or 5 years.

A similar scheme has been operating successfully in Victoria since 2006.[4]

Drivers in the North West could pay at least $65,000 in tolls, while motorists in the South West face toll charges up to $18,000 before Labor finally delivers rail links promised in Labor’s transport election scam – and that's before they are hit by Kristina Keneally’s new $30 car rego tax, NSW Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell and Shadow Minister for Roads Andrew Stoner revealed today.

“Under Labor’s latest transport election scam, the North West Rail Link doesn't start till 2017 and won't be finished until 2024, while the South West Rail Link isn't due for completion until 2016,” Mr O’Farrell said.

A few years ago my mother had a heart attack and was waiting for an ambulance to come to Woronora Heights from Menai.  We heard the ambulance and thought it would be here any minute.  Then it went away.  Why??? Because someone had place glue in the keyed lock of the only access road and the only available ambulance had to travel back to Sutherland and then south to save my mother.  That meant my mother almost died that day.