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The Bus and Coach
Association is to ask the government for an amendment to new legislation that
would give drivers banned for historical sex convictions, the right to
appeal. The Land Transport
Amendment Act stops people who've committed murder, serious violent and
sexual offences from being licensed to drive passengers. More than 200 current
licence holders will have their licences suspended indefinitely. However, while violent
offenders can appeal, those who have been found guilty of sexual offences
that were possibly punishable by seven years or more jail, cannot. The Bus and Coach
Association says that is unfair. Bus and Coach
Association executive director John Collyns says at least 25 drivers have
convictions for sex with a minor, which occurred when they were very young. The association hopes
to get an undertaking from the Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven,
this week, that he will ask parliament for an amendment, giving drivers the
right to appeal. Duynhoven says a simple
amendment could go through in about a month. The Green Party is also
calling for exceptions to the law to be introduced. Other changes to the
act include: ·
Drivers travelling at 40 kilometres per hour over the
speed limit will lose their drivers' licence for a month. ·
The threshold for blood alcohol is being lowered from 160
to 130 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood. ·
Anyone convicted of drink driving three times loses their
licence for just over a year, requiring them to re-sit their driving test. The Automobile
Association's motoring affairs manager Mike Noon says most people will not be
affected by the changes. However, Noon says with
such a raft of changes coming in at once, it is important the law is properly
promoted, so that people don't get caught out.
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