All probationary licence drivers in New South Wales will be banned from using mobile phones, including hands-free devices, to curb the mounting death toll.
The recent spate of fatal accidents has promoted the State Government to introduce the new laws, in a bid to reverse what roads minister Duncan Gay has described as “heartbreaking” incidents.
“That is more than a rugby team that won’t come home because of accidents which could have been avoided,” Mr Gay said.
Meanwhile, P-platers caught speeding will be slapped with a six-month extension on their probationary licence every time they are suspended.
Other measures will also require learner drivers to pass the Hazard Perception Test (HPT) in order to progress to a P1 licence.
The HPT was previously a requirement for P1 drivers to progress to a P2 licence.
Murray Downs P-plate driver Jemma Cox, 19, has welcomed the tightened laws and wasn’t surprised that fellow probationary drivers die at twice the rate of all drivers even though they only make up for 10 per cent of the driving population.
To read more about the NSW Government’s ban and the local reaction, purchase a copy of today’s The Guardian (29th July, 2016).
