❓ The Minister for Road Safety outlines initiatives to improve road safety for new drivers, including passenger restrictions for red P-plate drivers, incentives for safe driving, safe driving courses, trauma awareness programs, and a review of licensing schemes.
AnsweredQoN 769Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ROAD SAFETY — PASSENGER
RESTRICTIONS
769. Mrs J.M.C. STOJKOVSKI to the Minister for Road Safety:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
efforts to make our roads safer for all road users.
(1) Can the
minister outline to the house how the introduction of passenger limits for red
P-plate drivers supports safer driving for new drivers?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house whether any other measures are available to help
learner and P-plate drivers keep safe on our roads?
RESTRICTIONS
769. Mrs J.M.C. STOJKOVSKI to the Minister for Road Safety:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
efforts to make our roads safer for all road users.
(1) Can the
minister outline to the house how the introduction of passenger limits for red
P-plate drivers supports safer driving for new drivers?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house whether any other measures are available to help
learner and P-plate drivers keep safe on our roads?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
thank the member for Kingsley for the question. We share a border in our
electorates, so I know of the great work she does for road safety in her
electorate.
Members will be aware that the road
safety round table was held in September this year. Since then, the Cook Labor government
has introduced a range of initiatives aimed at curtailing the recent spike in crashes on Western Australian roads. Every life
lost on our roads is obviously one too many. We know that the
repercussions are devastating for the families and loved ones left behind. For
some people who survive a crash, it is something that they live with for the
rest of their lives. Knowing that many of these pressures are preventable is
even more disturbing. The Speaker, as a former long-term road safety minister
and shadow minister, would know that.
It is a sad fact that 17-year-olds to
19-year-olds are twice as likely to be involved in fatal crashes than any other drivers. We know that being a novice driver
is inherently risky. We all know the dangers when that is combined with
distractions from passengers. That is why we are implementing those changes for
P-plate drivers, restricting them to only one passenger for the first six months
of their driving. From 1 December, the new restrictions will apply for all
existing and future red P-plate drivers.
In the interest of encouraging and
improving safe driving habits, we have also announced a range of initiatives to
further encourage safe driving over a longer period of three years. Under the
expanded pilot program, drivers who remain demerit point free for three years
will be rewarded with up to a 100 per cent discount off their next driver's
licence renewal. It will be as either $100 off their five-year licence or a free
licence for one year.
Through the Department of Transport,
we will also offer a safe driving course for up to 750 people under the age of
25 years. This is an optional component of the very successful driver access
and equity program. The safe driving course is not one of those courses in
which people go around witch's hats at speed in a car park. They will
get coaching in a car and in a room with others to talk about the safe
behaviour that all drivers should have. It aims to address the higher crash
risk for young provisional drivers in their first six months.
There will also be additional
opportunities for young people to interact with those who have experienced road
trauma through the international prevent alcohol and risk-related trauma in
youth program. The PARTY program works with students to help them understand
the trauma associated with road crashes by visiting WA hospitals. A further
program is also being developed for road crash survivors and their families to
share their experiences with sporting clubs, workplaces, schools and other
community groups, especially where young people are involved.
Last week, our government launched
the Wheelmates campaign. Designed to target young drivers, Wheelmates
encourages young drivers to look out for each other on the roads this leavers,
and it will run in tandem with the recent hard-hitting Speeding Shatters Your
Excuses ads. The campaign is already being targeted at young people through
social media, YouTube, streaming services and billboards.
Finally, I am also pleased to advise
the house that the government will commission a comprehensive review into the
existing learner and provisional drivers licensing schemes, as well as the
skills and training requirements for
motorcycles and heavy vehicle licences. The Cook government is committed to
doing what it can to address road safety, but we all know that the
driving community, which is all of us, also has to play its part. Wear your
seatbelt. Please slow down on our roads and drive to the conditions. Do not
drive when you have been drinking. Do not drive tired, and do not be distracted
by mobile phones or passengers. Drive safely every time you get into a car.
thank the member for Kingsley for the question. We share a border in our
electorates, so I know of the great work she does for road safety in her
electorate.
Members will be aware that the road
safety round table was held in September this year. Since then, the Cook Labor government
has introduced a range of initiatives aimed at curtailing the recent spike in crashes on Western Australian roads. Every life
lost on our roads is obviously one too many. We know that the
repercussions are devastating for the families and loved ones left behind. For
some people who survive a crash, it is something that they live with for the
rest of their lives. Knowing that many of these pressures are preventable is
even more disturbing. The Speaker, as a former long-term road safety minister
and shadow minister, would know that.
It is a sad fact that 17-year-olds to
19-year-olds are twice as likely to be involved in fatal crashes than any other drivers. We know that being a novice driver
is inherently risky. We all know the dangers when that is combined with
distractions from passengers. That is why we are implementing those changes for
P-plate drivers, restricting them to only one passenger for the first six months
of their driving. From 1 December, the new restrictions will apply for all
existing and future red P-plate drivers.
In the interest of encouraging and
improving safe driving habits, we have also announced a range of initiatives to
further encourage safe driving over a longer period of three years. Under the
expanded pilot program, drivers who remain demerit point free for three years
will be rewarded with up to a 100 per cent discount off their next driver's
licence renewal. It will be as either $100 off their five-year licence or a free
licence for one year.
Through the Department of Transport,
we will also offer a safe driving course for up to 750 people under the age of
25 years. This is an optional component of the very successful driver access
and equity program. The safe driving course is not one of those courses in
which people go around witch's hats at speed in a car park. They will
get coaching in a car and in a room with others to talk about the safe
behaviour that all drivers should have. It aims to address the higher crash
risk for young provisional drivers in their first six months.
There will also be additional
opportunities for young people to interact with those who have experienced road
trauma through the international prevent alcohol and risk-related trauma in
youth program. The PARTY program works with students to help them understand
the trauma associated with road crashes by visiting WA hospitals. A further
program is also being developed for road crash survivors and their families to
share their experiences with sporting clubs, workplaces, schools and other
community groups, especially where young people are involved.
Last week, our government launched
the Wheelmates campaign. Designed to target young drivers, Wheelmates
encourages young drivers to look out for each other on the roads this leavers,
and it will run in tandem with the recent hard-hitting Speeding Shatters Your
Excuses ads. The campaign is already being targeted at young people through
social media, YouTube, streaming services and billboards.
Finally, I am also pleased to advise
the house that the government will commission a comprehensive review into the
existing learner and provisional drivers licensing schemes, as well as the
skills and training requirements for
motorcycles and heavy vehicle licences. The Cook government is committed to
doing what it can to address road safety, but we all know that the
driving community, which is all of us, also has to play its part. Wear your
seatbelt. Please slow down on our roads and drive to the conditions. Do not
drive when you have been drinking. Do not drive tired, and do not be distracted
by mobile phones or passengers. Drive safely every time you get into a car.
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