Nugget
1st April 2003, 02:33 PM
I found this in WA paper at uni.
P-PLATE drivers would face a night curfew under a radical proposal to prevent young people dying on WA roads.
Research by the University of WA's Injury Prevention Centre shows a restriction on night driving by P-plate drivers could save between 15 and 31 lives or serious injuries a year.
The study, a joint project with the RAC, has recommended a night driving curfew be introduced for the first six months of driving, in conjunction with the graduated driver training system.
Research fellow Claire Adams' study revealed nearly 25 per cent of crashes involving P-plate drivers occurred between 10pm and 6am, compared to 16 per cent for adult drivers. The findings have been published in the latest edition of the RAC's Motoring Agenda, but will not be released in full until Friday.
According to the RAC publication, the study shows:
30 per cent of probationary drivers' fatal accidents occurred at night, compared to 21 per cent for adult drivers.
Speed was more often associated with night crashes than crashes at other times of day.
Blood alcohol levels in night time crashes involving probationary drivers were higher than for crashes at other times of the day.
Previous research by the Injury Research Centre found P-plate drivers - who can be as young as 17 and keep their P-plates for two years - are six times more likely to be involved in serious or fatal car crashes. RAC general manager David Moir said the night driving study was part of a three-year research program with UWA investigating issues involving young drivers.
Mr Moir said restrictions on the number of passengers carried by novice drivers and the power-to-weight ratio of vehicles driven by P-plate drivers were also being investigated.
The proposal to restrict night driving by P-plate drivers would be presented to the Road Safety Council, which advises the State Government.
Mr Moir said the success of the curfew would depend on community acceptance and there was a need for widespread consultation.
He said the curfew could involve driving restrictions between certain hours, such as systems in place overseas which banned driving between 10pm and 6am.
It was possible the restrictions would allow for night driving by young people under adult supervision and concessions would be needed to allow for employment and study obligations.
"If the Government was going to introduce this, you would gradually take off the restrictions as young drivers learnt more skills and got more experience," Mr Moir said.
Office of Road Safety executive director Iain Cameron said the study would be considered by the Road Safety Council in the context of other relevant research.
"There is a long way to go before you can look at what you recommend," Mr Cameron said. Road Safety Minister Michelle Roberts said any initiatives which helped saved young drivers were welcome and she would await the recommendations of the Road Safety Council.
P-PLATE drivers would face a night curfew under a radical proposal to prevent young people dying on WA roads.
Research by the University of WA's Injury Prevention Centre shows a restriction on night driving by P-plate drivers could save between 15 and 31 lives or serious injuries a year.
The study, a joint project with the RAC, has recommended a night driving curfew be introduced for the first six months of driving, in conjunction with the graduated driver training system.
Research fellow Claire Adams' study revealed nearly 25 per cent of crashes involving P-plate drivers occurred between 10pm and 6am, compared to 16 per cent for adult drivers. The findings have been published in the latest edition of the RAC's Motoring Agenda, but will not be released in full until Friday.
According to the RAC publication, the study shows:
30 per cent of probationary drivers' fatal accidents occurred at night, compared to 21 per cent for adult drivers.
Speed was more often associated with night crashes than crashes at other times of day.
Blood alcohol levels in night time crashes involving probationary drivers were higher than for crashes at other times of the day.
Previous research by the Injury Research Centre found P-plate drivers - who can be as young as 17 and keep their P-plates for two years - are six times more likely to be involved in serious or fatal car crashes. RAC general manager David Moir said the night driving study was part of a three-year research program with UWA investigating issues involving young drivers.
Mr Moir said restrictions on the number of passengers carried by novice drivers and the power-to-weight ratio of vehicles driven by P-plate drivers were also being investigated.
The proposal to restrict night driving by P-plate drivers would be presented to the Road Safety Council, which advises the State Government.
Mr Moir said the success of the curfew would depend on community acceptance and there was a need for widespread consultation.
He said the curfew could involve driving restrictions between certain hours, such as systems in place overseas which banned driving between 10pm and 6am.
It was possible the restrictions would allow for night driving by young people under adult supervision and concessions would be needed to allow for employment and study obligations.
"If the Government was going to introduce this, you would gradually take off the restrictions as young drivers learnt more skills and got more experience," Mr Moir said.
Office of Road Safety executive director Iain Cameron said the study would be considered by the Road Safety Council in the context of other relevant research.
"There is a long way to go before you can look at what you recommend," Mr Cameron said. Road Safety Minister Michelle Roberts said any initiatives which helped saved young drivers were welcome and she would await the recommendations of the Road Safety Council.