August 2007
Young drivers are two-and-a-half times more likely to die in a crash than other motorists. In 2006, 83 young people died on Queensland roads. This is too many. New laws to help young drivers gain more on-road experience before they get behind the wheel and reduce their crash risk were introduced on 1 July 2007. Changes include:
- learner licences at 16
- minimum 12 month learner period
- 100 hours recorded logbook driving for learners
- two-phased P1 and P2 provisional licence system (a red plate for P1 for one year and green plate for P2 for two years)
- high powered vehicle restrictions for provisional licence holders
- peer passenger restrictions for P1 drivers (can only carry one passenger aged under 21) from 11pm to 5am
- banning all mobile phone use (including hands-free) for learners and P1 drivers and loudspeaker function use by supervisors and passengers
- requiring motorbike learners to hold a car provisional licence for 12 months prior to applying for their motorbike learner licence.
For more information, go to http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/
