Page 3858 - Week 12 - Thursday, 24 October 2013
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As well as focusing on vulnerable road users, the government is reviewing the ACT graduated driver licensing scheme in response to the continued over-representation of novice drivers in ACT road crash data and recent evaluations which have shown the benefits of additional GLS components in other jurisdictions.
ACT road crash statistics compiled by the Territory and Municipal Services Directorate showed that, in 2012, ACT provisional drivers were involved in 22 per cent of all casualty crashes, despite only representing approximately seven per cent of all ACT licence holders.
The main focus for the review will be on GLS components already in place in other jurisdictions. These include minimum supervised driving hours, hazard perception testing, night driving restrictions, passenger restrictions, mobile phone or other technology bans, vehicle power restrictions and minimum provisional licensing age. These components are being investigated based on a range of considerations, including the potential need for exemptions for disadvantaged youth. There will be opportunities for community input into this review, including a survey later on this year and the opportunity to comment on the draft proposals for change.
There is a lot happening in the ACT road safety space. However, the government’s road safety job is not done and additional measures to improve road safety are being considered right now in developing the next action plan under the ACT road safety strategy which will cover the period 2014-17.
Work on this action plan commenced in May 2013 with a series of stakeholder workshops. The purpose of the workshops was to identify a list of possible actions which could contribute to achieving the ACT road safety strategy’s goals. The stakeholder workshops were attended by ACT Policing, NRMA-ACT Road Safety Trust, Pedal Power, NRMA Motoring and Services, the Motorcycle Riders Association, Kidsafe ACT and other key community road safety and road user interest groups.
I remember Mr Rattenbury mentioning the NRMA and their awareness courses. They were originally designed by an ex-New South Wales police motorcycle trainer. The “stay upright” courses were not only designed to make sure that those riders had the technical ability to operate the motorcycles but also were mainly gauged at riders being aware of the dangers along the roadside. The instructions included making sure motorcyclists took the right sorts of lines on roads and that they were aware of cars coming from intersections and other dangerous things on the highway.
I understand that the consultation process for the development of the action plan led to the consideration of a number of action items which were inspired by ideas and discussion from stakeholders involved in the workshops. This will ensure that the ACT has a road safety plan that meets the needs of the community and effectively addresses the issues of most importance to the ACT. I am advised that work on drafting the action plan is almost complete and public submissions on the draft document will be invited.
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