Qld:Tough road rules forecast in wake of Christmas carnage

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Qld:Tough road rules forecast in wake of Christmas carnage

By Dale Paget

GOLD COAST, Dec 21 AAP - Queensland is poised to introduce tough new road safety penaltiesand an education program to slow drivers down in the wake of the horror start to the Christmasroad toll.

Five people died following a head on car crash near Proserpine in north Queenslandabout 5am (AEST) today, while a man was killed in a single vehicle rollover near the GoldCoast yesterday.

Premier Peter Beattie described the loss of six lives in the opening hours of the holidayseason as a disaster and confirmed a review of road safety penalties currently underwayincluded looking into the value of doubling demerit points during the holidays.

"The Christmas experience will have a direct impact on whether the penalties are changed,"

said Mr Beattie.

"We have absolutely had a disaster. I am stunned."

Mr Beattie said the government was looking seriously at doubling demerit points butconceded the strategy in NSW had not dramatically impacted the road toll.

"We can have all the rules we like but unless people use their brains and drive sensiblythey are going to continue to kill themselves," he said.

"We've got to get people to actually take their foot off the accelerator."

Mr Beattie said that a properly funded ambulance service was needed to also save liveson the roads.

He said the government would not back away from the $85 ambulance tax but would considerraising the money through electricity or motor car fees if it was cheaper than collectingit through rates.

"We will do it. It's a case of how we do it," he said.

"I'm not prepared to allow Queenslanders to die on the side of the road from motorvehicle accidents or in their homes through the underfunding of ambulances."

The review of road safety penalties will be completed in time for new rules to be inplace by Easter.

AAP dp/cjh/sb

KEYWORD: TOLL QLD BEATTIE LEAD