Learner Hours Slashed

NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay has today announced a policy that will enable learner drivers to cut their practice hours from 120 to 100 by enrolling in a safe-driving course. This course is currently being developed by a board of independant road safety experts including representatives from NSW Police, NRMA and RMS and will be chaired by the former director of road safety at VicRoads, Eric Howard. Although the particulars of what exactly will be included in the course are yet to be decided, it is believed that it will involve both classroom and in-vehicle excercises.

"We are committed to reducing road crashes, injuries and fatalities among young people and this new initiative will help us to do that," says Minister Gay. "Sadly young people are over represented in fatalities related to speeding and poor decision making while driving. This will give young and inexperienced drivers the opportunity to have hands-on practice with experienced instructors. Currently with 120 hours, there's lots of skills training but frankly there's no safety training. We need to get that clear message about what a projectile a car is and how dangerous it can be. That is the most important message, and frankly it's a message that's not coming through."

I wholeheartedly agree with Minister Gay and believe that this is a positive step towards better preparing young drivers for the road.  The current system relies on parents being skilled drivers and teaching their children how to drive correctly and although this doesn't eliminate the problems of the current system completely, it at least gives learners the chance to learn from a professional. There is no word on what sort of pricing structure will accompany this safe-driving course and we will pass on any details as soon as we come across them but for now, we want to to hear what you think. Is this a stepping stone to a more comprehensive licensing system or a dangerous shortening of hours behind the wheel?