There is a renewed push to introduce fines for motorists who drive recklessly through floodwaters.
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Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has joined Kiama MP Gareth Ward in calling for action to be taken against drivers who endangered their own lives and the lives of their rescuers. The pair proposed revenue from fines be returned to volunteer emergency services.
“I think a fine, as a consequence for people’s reckless actions, might make some people think twice before driving into floodwaters,” Mr Marshall said.
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said it was not clear if fines were even “plausible” but in any case, it was important government didn’t lose sight of the human toll of such actions.
“When people make the choice to enter floodwaters it should be the risk to human life that is the primary focus, not whether they can financially afford to take the risk,” Mr Anderson said.
The deliberate actions of motorists also causes unease among the SES.
“The NSW SES is concerned with the high number of people who still do not heed warnings about the dangers of entering floodwater,” an SES spokesman said.