DEMERIT POINT SYSTEM PROPOSED FOR LEARNER DRIVERS
State Plan Priority S7: Safer Roads
Wednesday 24 September 2008
Minister for Roads Michael Daley today introduced into Parliament The Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Amendment (Demerit Point System) Bill 2008.
Mr Daley said the proposed legislation would introduce a demerit point system for learner drivers to further encourage safer driving by young people.
"The NSW Government is committed to making our roads as safe as possible and demerit points have proven successful in helping to keep irresponsible and potentially dangerous drivers off the roads.
"That's why we're proposing to introduce a demerit point scheme for learner licence holders that would create an incentive for young drivers to comply with the road rules.
"Under the proposed legislation, learner drivers would be suspended for three months for incurring four or more demerit points similar to the scheme currently applied to provisional P1 drivers.
"The community has called for reforms to young driver rules and we've listened.
"It's time to implement tougher penalties for learners who don't comply with their licence conditions and the road rules," he said.
Mr Daley said the offences which will carry four or more demerit points are any speeding offences committed by a learner driver, driving with one or more unrestrained passengers or riding a motorbike with a capacity in excess of the allowed limit.
"The Government makes no apologies to learners who commit these serious offences, young drivers need to know they are not above the law.
"Currently low level speeding attracts a fine but it doesn't mean an immediate cancellation of a learner's licence.
"We want the zero tolerance approach to speeding extended to learner drivers to send a clear message to novice drivers that speeding at any level will not be tolerated.
Mr Daley said learner licence holders will have the right of appeal if they are suspended or refused for demerit points.
"These proposed changes would also clarify penalties relating to drivers who hold different licence classes.
"For example, a driver who has a pending suspension and holds a licence to drive a car won't be able to obtain a learner rider licence.
"These rules are about introducing further measures that will help reduce the road toll and better equip young drivers on our roads," Mr Daley said.
