Proposals to reform the ACT’s driver licensing system to make it safer for younger drivers have been modified following community feedback.
A new consultation paper has been released for public comment.
Minister for Road Safety, Shane Rattenbury said the new scheme had been shaped with the help of community and industry feedback, while maintaining a key focus on the safety of young drivers.
“Ensuring the safety of drivers and other road users is a top priority,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“We are committed to achieving Vision Zero, and realising the goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on ACT roads,” he said.
“This is part of an ongoing conversation with the community, while making sure that we’re both listening to the experts and realising practical road safety measures for, and together with, the Canberra community.”
He said that in the initial phase of consultation, over 4,300 responses were received on an online survey and more than 16,200 people interacted with the issue via the YourSay website.
“We have since reviewed this feedback, in consultation with road safety experts, to pursue a series of revised reforms,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“This second stage sees significant progress, ensuring that proposed changes will be practically implemented in the Territory.”
He said the proposed reforms now included provisional licensing stages in line with NSW and restricting P1 drivers to carrying one peer-aged passenger (16-22 years) between the hours of 11pm and 5am with automatic exemptions in place for family members and/or for employment purposes.
He said mobile phones could not be used except for voice activated GPS applications but there were no changes to speed limits or the use of high-powered vehicles.
Further information is outlined in the 12-page consultation paper which can be accessed at this PS News link.
Community consultation will close on 14 November.
