Undoubtedly, one of the most significant rules introduced is the prohibition of unsupervised night-time driving between the hours 11.00 p.m. and 5.00 a.m. for first-year young drivers. This research is supported by the alarming rates of crashes throughout the night for young drivers, particularly those who are driving with peers. While there is no doubt that this research is accurate, the theory in practice has worked quite well indeed in NSW, and in other states, where the regulation on car passengers for drivers on Level 2 has reduced multi-passenger vehicle crashes by more than 50%. This has directly reduced hospitalizations and the number of deaths. It is the Government’s position that this is a balanced strategy in which young people are being encouraged to exercise their thriving independence by driving all by themselves, and, at the same time, their chances of committing the most dangerous driving offences that are highly likely to lead to a crash, are being lowered.
The Implementation of the Law is a Strict Compliance With the Restriction on the Use of a Mobile Device While Driving
Another central point of focus for the young drivers especially the provisionary license holders, is the mobile device restriction. Mobile phone use while driving has been a causative factor of many road accidents and thus, there has been an increase in the driving while using a mobile time physically statute. This is especially true for young and new drivers who tend to use their phones while driving.
The Importance of These Changes
Young drivers are more prone to getting into traffic accidents because they exhibit reckless driving behavior such as speeding, texting, and driving, and driving with more passengers than stipulated. Australia’s driving rule changes are informed by research and the gold standard internationally and blend restriction with facilitation to enhance safety. The mobile phone restrictions and passenger restrictions at night address the window of the greatest danger for young driver crashes and one of the gravest distractions for the road.
Recommendations for Young Drivers
Like any other rule with proper guidelines, young Australians learning to drive or in possession of a Provisional License must observe the changes to the road rules. This will avoid the imposition of fines, demerit point accumulation, and the feared suspension of the driving license. The use of hands-free phones, not texting, abuse of tutoring and passenger limits at night, and proper compliance with road rules regarding speed limits are the minimum. These are primary driving laws which protect other road users. Parents and the wider society is tasked with the promotion and advocacy, as well as compliance with the legislation, to encourage more vigilant driving among young people.
Points to Consider Moving on
The more the Australian government monitors the road safety statistics, the more rule changes to driving are likely to happen. The focus will always be on following the evidence rule to address the disproportionate driving freedoms and responsibilities of young or inexperienced drivers in which the system is tilted toward protective policies.
