Hey all,

A quick message to urge all upcoming drivers to have your say…

As most of you know anyone turning 18 after July 1st will be subject to the new P1 and P2 licensing system…

This system means that for the first year of driving (P1) you are only allowed to carry one passenger aged 16-21 years. These new rules create a heap of problems for country drivers, the government claims that the new system has been introduced to reduce the death toll on our roads, lowering the chances for young drivers to get distracted. But with these new rules wont that mean that there will be more cars on the road… creating more of a problem?

Just say 5 mates go to a party… your all 18 and have your license and got it before these news rules have come into act… to get home one of you has decided to be the designated driver… this gets all 5 of you home in one car. With the new rules to get 5 of you home you will need 2-3 designated drivers and 3 cars. Does this sound smart to you?

Vicroads claims that:
• Each year approximately 120 Victorians are killed and 2300 more are seriously injured in crashes involving 18 to 25 year old drivers. This is about one third of the Victorian road toll.
• Probationary drivers are involved in three times more casualty crashes than experienced drivers.
• More young people die from road crashes than any other cause.
• Young driver road crashes are caused by many factors including inexperience, drink driving, driving in high risk situations (such as late at night or carrying multiple passengers), using a mobile phone and speeding.
But with these stats does it seem stupid to you to have more cars on the road than before?

These new rules discriminate young country people, it’s all right for kids in the city with cheap public transport to nearly anywhere. In the country it’s not so easy for us. With taxi’s as our only public transport (and highly over-priced at that) and for some not even this. And what for people attending sport in and around Victorian country towns... With the old rules you could take yourself and 4 mates in a car, today there could be triple the amount of cars attending just because of passenger restrictions…
Vicroad suggests:

“Seek other transport options where available, such as taxis, public transport and friends or family.”

To seek “public transport” when we have none, to seek transport with “friends” when most are on passenger restrictions and to seek transport with “family”… what’s the point of getting your license when you turn 18 when you still have to rely on a family member to get you around?
These rules also introduce restrictions with the P2 plates after your first year, the P2 plates are to be used for a further 3 years meaning that you’ll be on your P’s for a total of 4 years! This alone is annoying.

I am urging all up and coming drivers to post there view to either Vicroads on the link below or directly to the minister of roads and ports Tim Pallas. Please take 5 minutes to formally post your view to either of the below. If we do nothing, nothing will happen. But as the saying goes… the squeaky wheel gets fixed, if we have enough interest and concern on the issue something is bound to happen. So don’t just sit there and expect the next person to do something… it only takes a couple of minutes of typing or if you’re an idiot, a few minutes screaming on the phone to Tim Pallas. The idea is to create enough level-headed interest on a discriminative issue that affects a lot of young people. So take the time to do something and make a difference. Also all people interested in this issue or even if your not but have read this, PASS IT ON!! GET THE WORD OUT!!
=) =)

Cheers, Jono.

TIM PALLAS -
Telephone: (03) 9655 6000
Fax: (03) 9655 6566
Or… mail
Hon. Tim Pallas, MP
Minister for Roads and Ports
Department of Transport
GPO Box 2797
Melbourne VIC 3001
Australia


VICROADS