Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Traffic Offenders Program?
Why is there a Traffic Offenders Program in Gold Coast?
What is the incentive for an offender to do the program?
What does the program cost?
Who runs the Program?
Who are the lecturers and what is their expertise?
What will I learn from the program?
Do I have to plead guilty to be able to do the program?
How do I start the Program?
Where is the proof that I have attended the program and that I benefited from it?
How many times can I use the program?
Who is eligible for the program?
Can I start the program prior to me going to court?
Where do I pay for the program?

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What is the Traffic Offenders Program?

The Traffic Offenders Program is an educational court diversion program that involves expert lecturers from a diverse range of fields. The lecturers will include driver safety experts, emergency service experts, substance abuse (drug and alcohol) counsellors, grief and trauma counsellors, police, lawyers and insurance specialists. The lecturers will all focus on their involvement with the different consequences of dangerous driving, (alcohol and other drugs, as well as the adverse health effects) and the impact on victims of road accidents. The many experts will relate their personal experiences in relation to accidents, including experts that will bring home the message what drink driving and unsafe driving in a practical sense can mean to you.  ^top

Why is there a Traffic Offenders Program in Gold Coast?

This Traffic Offenders Program is modeled on the Tweed Heads Traffic Offenders Program which has to date been a very successful program. Over the last ten years 4500 people have participated in the Tweed Heads program and the current number for reoffending is extremely low. Other individual Traffic Offenders programs in New South Wales quote very low re-offending rates. Queensland currently does not offer any programs similar in nature. Gold Coast is therefore being used as a pilot program run on a volunteer basis to attempt to combat the problem of repeat drink drivers and traffic offenders coming before the courts. The program ultimately aims to save lives on the road. ^top

 What is the incentive for an offender to do the program?

THE OFFENDER MAY RECEIVE A LIGHTER SENTENCE AND FINE, DEPENDANT UPON THE INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE AND THE OFFENDERS BACKGROUND.WE CANNOT GIVE ANY GUARANTEES AS THE MAGISTRATE WILL DEAL WITH OFFENDERS ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS -YOU CERTAINLY WILL NOT BE WORSE OFF FOR DOING THE PROGRAMME AND YOU RETAIN YOUR LICENSE DURING THE PERIOD YOU ATTEND THE PROGRAMME (IF YOU HAVE ONE).

The incentive to do the program is twofold. Firstly, there is an educational process that is intended to impart isight to the offender, thereby helping them to regulate their own behaviour and not reoffend. The program is designed to increase the participants' understanding of their social commitment and traffic laws and use reality checks on statistics and events that do occur because of drink & drug driving or general breaching of traffic laws. Secondly, the completion of the program will be taken into consideration by a magistrate as a mitigating factor in sentencing. The fact that an offender has done something about the offence demonstrates contrition for their actions and will be taken into consideration in the overall sentencing process. The local magistrates have indicated on a case by case basis, the offenders, (depending on their circumstances), would receive a lighter sentence than if they had not completed the program. However, at this stage, there cannot be any guarantees given for results, as the program is so new and it will be up to each individual Magistrate’s discretion. There is currently no statutory basis for a reduction in sentences as a result of an offender doing the program, however once again it is very likely depending upon the offender’s circumstances that a better result will be achieved, particularly in relation to license disqualification. ^top

What does the program cost?

The program costs ninety five dollars ($95) and the fee must be paid before commencing the program.

EFTPOS is available at the hall and payment is accepted between 5.45 - 6:15 pm every Tuesday night. Account declined will mean no entry as cash is not accepted on the night. Credit cards will incur 1.5% bank fees.

Alternatively, bring a money order from the Post Office made payable to GCTOP for $95.00 on your first night.

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Who runs the Program?

The program is being run by a volunteer group and the Gold Coast Traffic Offenders Program Committee has been incorporated under the Associations and Corporations Act. The Committee is made up of local lawyers, community corrections representatives, Bond and University of Queensland law students, Gold Coast Drug Council representatives and various other dedicated volunteers. ^top

The group has received consultancy advice from Geoff Togo and Jan Wilkinson of the NSW police who are the coordinators of the Tweed Heads Traffic Offenders Program and Magistrate Jeff Linden – Chief Magistrate for northern NSW taking in Tweed Heads, Mullumbimby, Murwillumbah, and Byron Bay. The organisation is non profit and annually, all excess funds after expenses, will be donated to local community charities, giving priority to organizations that our volunteer guest lecturers represent. ^top

Who are the lecturers and what is their expertise?

The lecturers are all qualified experts in their particular fields and include, the Queensland Fire Department, Queensland Ambulance, Paramedics, QLD Police, Road Traffic Authority, qualified drug and alcohol counsellors, doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, grief and trauma counsellors, victims of road accidents, police, lawyers, insurance cover specialists and defensive driving experts. The program includes the showing of videos, slides, demonstrations and other media resources. During the health session, we demonstrate the effect of intoxication on driving coordination and reaction time, through the use of alcohol goggles that similate various alcohol level readings. ^top

What will I learn from the program?

The knowledge and experience from all of the above experts will be recorded by all participants. In addition, you will also be offered additional referral services if you wish to investigate further in a particular experts area. The program is here to help you in life generally, but its main aim is to ensure that you will not reoffend. ^top

Do I have to plead guilty to be able to do the program?

The program is STRUCTURED as a post plea program. However, in Queensland, if you plead guilty, technically you could lose your license from the day of your plea. However, if you indicate to the magistrate at the first available opportunity that you intend to enter a plea of guilty after completion of the program you will not lose your license automatically and in addition, it is likely you will still be given the benefit of entering an early plea as stated in the Penalties and Sentences Act, IF YOU HAVE INDICATED YOUR INTENTION TO PLEAD GUILTY AT THE FIRST AVAILABLE OPPORTUNITY. ^top

How do I start the Program?

Simply pay the ninety five dollar fee and attend the program. Find out more about how to pay here . You must be at the Tugun Village Community Centre, (414 Coolangatta Road, Tugun, 4224) fifteen (15) minutes prior to the beginning of the lecture for each day over a five week period. The lectures begin at 6.30pm, SHARP and go for about one and a half hours. If you are not there fifteen minutes before the session you may be refused entry.

The following are special conditions a participant must agree to abide by when doing the program:

• You must sign an indemnity form relating to the traffic offenders program for insurance purposes
• You must not attend under the influence of any alcohol or other drugs. A random breathalyser is used during the sessions.
• You must display an acceptable standard of behaviour at the program.
• You must bring a photo ID to verify your identity.

Non-compliance with these conditions means eviction from the program.

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Where is the proof that I have attended the program and that I benefited from it?

On your brochure there are five sign offs for experts. You must have the expert sign and date this form at the end of the session, to demonstrate that you have attended the program every week. You must also provide to the magistrate a receipt to prove that you have paid the fee for the program together with your completion certificate and course summary, which will have your own personal notes on each of the five lectures. ^top

How many times can I do the program?

You can only do the program once. ^top

Who is eligible for the program?

The program focuses on first and second time offenders who have been charged with drink or drug driving, including work licence  applicants or dangerous driving and unsafe driving such as excessive speeding, drive without due care and attention etc. ^top

The program benefits all traffic offenders who are in a licence appeal situation or even a restoration of licence. It may also benefit disqualified drivers, but remember it will be more difficult to reduce sentences for this type of offence as a disqualified driver must lose their license for a minimum period set by legislation.  ^top

Can I start the program prior to me going to court?

Yes, the program runs in set cycles from week one to five and if you are arrested and do not have to appear in court for anywhere between 2 - 4 weeks, it is recommended you start the program immediately if you feel you are eligible. The magistrate could then be informed that you have commenced the program and a short adjournment may be obtained for your completion. ^top

Where do I pay for the Program?

EFTPOS is available at the hall and payment is accepted between 5.45 - 6:15 pm every Tuesday night. Account declined will mean no entry as cash is not accepted on the night. Credit cards will incur 1.5% bank fees.

Alternatively, bring a money order from the Post Office made payable to GCTOP for $95.00 on your first night.