NSW to cut 120 hour requirement for L-plate drivers

[The_Hawk]

LEARNER drivers will no longer have to clock up 120 hours on the road before they can sit for their P-plates, with the New South Wales Government now set to scrap the plan.

Three years after the new road safety rules were introduced, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the State Government is now planning to ease the provision.

The move follows evidence that the driving requirement is disadvantaging low-income and single-parent families who do not have either the time or money to help their children attain the required hours.

Read the full story here: NSW to cut 120 hour requirement for L-plate drivers | News.com.au


Personally I'd be much happier is the number of hours could be reduced subject to the learner completing a driver training. For example there could be a number of courses available that on satisfactory completion you get a 20 hour reduction in the number of hours required to be logged.

Sure that doesn't help the time poor or financially limited out there, but I am sure it would make for better drivers.

[dylan8]

Well i know I wouldnt like to be in an accident because some was lacking hours/experience as they were 'disadvantaged'.
Even though I was required to, my parents made a rule with me that I wasnt allowed to drive there cars on my Ps unless I picked up 120 hours. and id like to think all that experience is whats kept me from being in a accident.
In the US dont all high school students have driving as a course...? Maybe they should look at something similar if they dont want to disadvantage people

[DeanB]

As a disclaimer : Even though I don't agree with the way the 120 hour scheme has been implemented by allowing parents to "teach" their wonderful habits, I don't want kids with a few weekeends with mum in the car to be let loose in their rust buckets on the road. I would still prefer their be a large formal training component, like they have in Germany, on closed training circuits, etc.

Anyways, the reasoning behind reducing the hours is flawed, there is just so much wrong with their "logic" regarding disadvantaged people. There seems to be a culture in this country that everyone has some natural right to drive a vehicle and all must be done to ensure that everyone is licensed. Considering we are always bombarded about road safety and death tolls, the authorities still won't take an honest approach and attempt to train drivers from the beginning rather than spending money on advertising campaigns about the dangers of speeding, etc. It is so badly flawed when you compare it to other countries (Germany, etc) where you EARN the right to hold a licence through time and money, not through shortcuts because you are poor, etc. If these people are so economically disadvantaged and/or time poor that they can't afford money/time for their L's then how are they supposed to obtain a vehicle that is genuinely road-worthy once they obtain their licence. These people would be better with a pushbike or getting the bus !! It is a horrible thought that anyone could be involved in a fatal accident because some disadvantaged kid with very little training in his 30 year old Commodore with bald tyres killed someone in a wet weather accident. But, it'll be okay, the poor kid, he was disadvantaged and couldn't afford tyres, effective wiper blades, etc, some governement agency will pay for his counselling to help him get over it ... **** I hate this country some times.

[thestu]

^^^ very very good points above.

Somebody in government one day just decides that "oh my son never gets enough time to drive with me so let's abolish the 120 hour scheme". What a crock of crap! And Victoria are also thinking about dropping red and green p's why do it in the first place if they are going to just abolish it?

The nanny Country I say. Run by a pack of silly dogs

[gerhard]

Victoria doesn't have a 120hour rule if you are over 25...

I know of a Thai Import Bride who got a license and couldn't drive a nail into soft butter.

I'm sure the 120 hour rule also doesn't apply to refugees, indiginous peoples, and probably welfare recipients as well.

The more people they let on the roads, the bigger the fine revenue......