Wednesday, 25 June, 2008

Media Release
From the Minister for Roads and Ports

Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas today reminded Victorians that the third and final stage of the Brumby Government’s new Graduated Licensing System (GLS) will come into full effect on 1 July, 2008.

Phase three of the new GLS will see the introduction of new P1 and P2 probationary licences, a new peer passenger restriction for P1 drivers and a new on-road driving test for drivers applying for a licence.

Mr Pallas said these were most important and far reaching changes to Victoria’s driver licensing system since 1969, when the probationary licence was introduced.

“When fully implemented, the changes under the GLS are expected to reduce the number of people injured in crashes by up to 800 per year and reduce the number of fatalities by 12 per year,” Mr Pallas said.

The new Graduated Licensing System includes a new four-year, two-stage probationary licence system, as opposed to the current single stage three-year licensing system.

The new system requires young drivers to gain more driving experience before they sit their licence. Drivers will need to have at least 120 hours of driving experience – including at least 10 hours at night – before they apply for their probationary licence.

If they pass, motorists under 21 years of age will receive a P1 licence followed by a three-year P2 licence. The P1 licence holder will use red plates and the P2 holder will use green plates.

Mr Pallas said the new GLS had been specifically designed to address the dangers young people face on the road.

“Young drivers are involved in casualty crashes at three times the rate of more experienced drivers, and car crashes kill more young people than any other cause,” Mr Pallas said.
 
“Each year about 120 people between the ages of 18 to 25 are killed on our roads and 2,300 are seriously injured. This is about one third of the Victorian road toll.

“Research tells us that the first 12 months of solo driving is the most dangerous time for a probationary driver. When being supervised as a learner they are relatively safe, but when driving in their first year as a probationary driver, their risk of crashing increases dramatically.

“Research also shows that probationary drivers are four times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash when carrying two or more passengers. The new peer passenger restriction for P1 drivers means they will be allowed to carry no more than one passenger aged 16 to 21.

“The new system has been designed to address the specific dangers that young drivers face to protect them and other drivers on Victorian roads.

“Victoria has recorded its five lowest road tolls in the last five years but we are always looking for new ways to reduce the road toll.”