kfnmpah
Well-Known Member
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-19/curfew-proposed-for-nsw-p-platers/3579454Curfew proposed for NSW P-platers
By NSW political reporter Mark Tobin
Updated October 19, 2011 13:57:36
The New South Wales auditor-general has proposed a curfew for P-plate drivers to help reduce deaths on the state's roads.
Peter Achterstraat has prepared a report on improving road safety for young drivers.
The number of fatal crashes involving young drivers has halved in the past decade, but they are still more likely to be involved in serious crashes than older drivers.
Young drivers are involved in one in four fatal crashes, even though they make up only 16 per cent of licensed drivers.
Mr Achterstraat has made a number of recommendations, including the introduction of a curfew for provisional 1 (P1) drivers on Friday and Saturday nights.
"There's a small minority of rev heads and hoon boys who seem to think they are the only people on the road," Mr Achterstraat said.
"Thirty per cent of fatal crashes of young people occur on Friday and Saturday nights."
The auditor-general has also suggested psychological testing for young drivers who repeatedly flout the road rules.
"You wouldn't let a person with a bad attitude use a chainsaw, so we can't let a person with a bad attitude drive a car," he said.
"You do a practical test to see if you have the skills to drive a car. You should do an attitude test to see if you have the maturity."
Mr Achterstraat's report includes a graph showing a massive jump in the number of recorded crashes when drivers progress from their learner to P1 licences.
Figures also appear to show inconsistency in p-plate testing, with a higher pass rate at country motor registries than city ones.
Narooma Motor Registry, on the state's south coast, had the highest pass rate at 91 per cent, while the Maroubra Junction office in Sydney's east passed 43 per cent of test subjects.
It is not all plain sailing in the country though, with 51 per cent passing at the Lake Cargelligo registry in the state's west.
Unlikely.
Does anyone think this is justified/fair?