RACV push for P-Plate passenger restrictions

[dom_105]

YOUNG P-plate drivers should be barred from carrying more than one passenger for their first year on the road, according to the RACV.
In a submission to the State Government, the motoring body said the radical crackdown could save up to four young lives and prevent 150 serious injuries every year.

RACV general manager (public policy) Dr Ken Ogden said statistics showed 26 per cent of first-year probationary drivers involved in fatal crashes were carrying more than one passenger.

Dr Ogden said restricting passenger numbers would be a highly effective safety measure.

Dr Ogden said recent RACV market research showed a high level of public support for the proposal.

He said 72 per cent of parents supported passenger restrictions on P-platers and 42 per cent of young drivers agreed.

"A number of young drivers also told us that they often felt pressured into carrying a car load of passengers and would welcome a reason to refuse to do so," he said.

In August, Premier Steve Bracks announced several changes to driver licensing laws to save the lives of young drivers.

The proposals included learners being compelled to get 120 hours of practice before getting their licence, an extra year being added to probationary licence and hoons being forced to stay on their P-plates for longer.

The Government has estimated if the changes were adopted, 12 lives would be saved every year and 192 fewer people would be seriously injured.

In a typical year, 120 people aged 18-25 are killed on the roads and 2300 seriously injured.

The Government is garnering public comment before making a final decision next month.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sto...3-2862,00.html

Even though this has come up time and again, what are your thoughts on this.

I wonder if the RACV or the Government have taken into account the increasing numbers of P-platers on the roads, at night, under this system when calculating their figures.

Or the amount of P-platers who might "risk it" and drive home under the influience simply because they could not get a lift with their mates.

IMO, I think the potential implemention of this system will solve nothing.

[Mongoose]

Not allowing people under 25 to drive a car will reduce the road toll for under 25's even more, why dont they use that? /sarcasm

Seriosuly, its complete crap, with the current restrictions in place, no body can be the "taxi" anymore because after 11pm were not allowed to carry more than 1 passenger under 25. So it involves about 2 or 3 people not drinking and putting 2-3 more cars on the road, and everyone trying to follow each other home in the convoy of cars is going to be alot worse, because people will be more likely to race each other home

[dom_105]

Originally Posted by Mongoose

Not allowing people under 25 to drive a car will reduce the road toll for under 25's even more, why dont they use that? /sarcasm

Seriosuly, its complete crap, with the current restrictions in place, no body can be the "taxi" anymore because after 11pm were not allowed to carry more than 1 passenger under 25. So it involves about 2 or 3 people not drinking and putting 2-3 more cars on the road, and everyone trying to follow each other home in the convoy of cars is going to be alot worse, because people will be more likely to race each other home

Or somebody will run a red light in order not to be dropped off the back and collect somebody.

Pretty poorly thought out idea.

[krt10]

not that im an environmentalist or anything but......... it may save 12 lives a year, but with more people being forced to take more cars wont this contribute to the greenhouse gasses being emmited into the air. it could potentially kill more than 12 people a year in the long term. ( just another way of looking at it)

[fastlane]

Well I was told that the envionmentalists are against RACV's decision of passenger restrictions due to this leading to more cars and more pollution.

[sleekism]

But doesn't more passengers in the car save lives, I mean it's pretty hard to drift a car when you have three fat mates and a few cartons over the back wheels lol

Seriously go yourself RACV I'm nearly out of the p plate club but it doesn't stop me being ****ed off at all the you have to cop being a p plater.

P platers are starting to put 2 and 2 together and wait for it..........NOT WEARING THEIR P PLATES

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by sleekism

But doesn't more passengers in the car save lives, I mean it's pretty hard to drift a car when you have three fat mates and a few cartons over the back wheels lol

Seriously go yourself RACV I'm nearly out of the p plate club but it doesn't stop me being ****ed off at all the you have to cop being a p plater.

P platers are starting to put 2 and 2 together and wait for it..........NOT WEARING THEIR P PLATES

Wrong. Late at night, ****ed mates in the back, guess who's going to play hero?

This forum should either have a section for cry baby p platers, or delete the threads altogether. Do a search, there are plenty of threads on the topic.

[Force6]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Wrong. Late at night, ****ed mates in the back, guess who's going to play hero?

Idiots who shouldn't be on the road in the first place?

Certainly not the majority of P platers who just want to get themselves and their mates home in one piece after a fun night.

[irlewy86]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Wrong. Late at night, ****ed mates in the back, guess who's going to play hero?

This forum should either have a section for cry baby p platers, or delete the threads altogether. Do a search, there are plenty of threads on the topic.

hahahaha excellent.

Like I always say "you had to wait 17 years to be on the road why cant you live with restrictions for a 3 more years"

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by irlewy86

hahahaha excellent.

Like I always say "you had to wait 17 years to be on the road why cant you live with restrictions for a 3 more years"

4 years in vic.

[|||]

Originally Posted by Polyal

This forum should either have a section for cry baby p platers

i suggest we call it "the afternoon nap and juice box forum"

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by Polyal

This forum should either have a section for cry baby p platers, or delete the threads altogether. Do a search, there are plenty of threads on the topic.

Seconded....

[geohatrick]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Seconded....

go put p-plates on your car for a month and abide by all the rules that p platers have to and see how you like it... then do it for 3years.

[V3RSAC3]

Originally Posted by geohatrick

go put p-plates on your car for a month and abide by all the rules that p platers have to and see how you like it... then do it for 3years.

Seconded....

[XCSEDAN]

Originally Posted by geohatrick

go put p-plates on your car for a month and abide by all the rules that p platers have to and see how you like it... then do it for 3years.

thirded (i know its not a word but you get the point)

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by geohatrick

go put p-plates on your car for a month and abide by all the rules that p platers have to and see how you like it... then do it for 3years.

I was a P Plater once too.. We all live by different rules and regulations every day of our life, i dont sook about it, i just get on with it.
If you've just got your licence (P plater) its not like you know any different anyway in terms of driving freedoms.... and at the end of 3 years you get to upgrade, you'll live!

[ayeyew]

Originally Posted by geohatrick

go put p-plates on your car for a month and abide by all the rules that p platers have to and see how you like it... then do it for 3years.

fourthded?

[nugget378]

Originally Posted by geohatrick

go put p-plates on your car for a month and abide by all the rules that p platers have to and see how you like it... then do it for 3years.

I do it all the time,my O/H is on her red P's and half the time I CBF taking them off,and guess what,I NEVER get pulled over,and I very rarely sit on the speed limit,maybe there is something about your driving you just arent seeing?
I certainly see poor/aggressive driving from P platers almost daily.
You get pulled over for a reason,like it or not..

[irlewy86]

Originally Posted by geohatrick

go put p-plates on your car for a month and abide by all the rules that p platers have to and see how you like it... then do it for 3years.

Did it, survived, unlike my Father who buried 3 friends. Learnt some valuable lessons.

But as I have already discovered, when it comes to cars and driving, 17 year olds are far more knowledgable and experienced.

[dishpig]

RACV general manager (public policy) Dr Ken Ogden said statistics showed 26 per cent of first-year probationary drivers involved in fatal crashes were carrying more than one passenger.

26% doesn't really seem like a huge number to me. That means 74% are done with none or just one passsenger. So to me thats saying having people next to you doesn't really matter all that much. From personal experience I know people do stupid stuff with people in cars but I've seen people do much stupider stuff with the people outside the car.

[Keepleft]

Originally Posted by sleekism

P platers are starting to put 2 and 2 together and wait for it..........NOT WEARING THEIR P PLATES

The reason WHY we insist P plates being clearly displayed is soley to alert OTHER TRAFFIC that the driver has limited on-road experienced.

Nothing wrong with that whatsoever.

Yes, I know those 'old' drivers typically of 23 years to age 30, and those 30plus senior citizens also have their driving issues, but - that does not detract from the point that if we old timers see your plates, we might just discreetly get out of your way so 'we' don't crash into *you*.

If you don't want the passenger restriction, tell your local MP (yes, seriously). Its one of the 'optionals' in the ongoing national harmonisation of the graduated licensing systems.

Some of you Vic people could apply for 'expemptions' in any case.

[ayeyew]

Originally Posted by Keepleft

The reason WHY we insist P plates being clearly displayed is soley to alert OTHER TRAFFIC that the driver has limited on-road experienced.

Nothing wrong with that whatsoever.

Maybe there should be some kind of plate for people 70+ too.. The way some of them drive.. Oh my God.. They drive too slow!!

Slower is NOT safer, some of the older people are going 30+km/h UNDER the speed limit. I was behind an old lady (she could barely see over the steering wheel), must have been around aged around 75-80 on Cumberland highway near Parramatta and she was doing 35 in a 70 zone! Mentality is so different between different subsets of the population.. You see a P-plater going 30km/h over the speed limit you think bloody deeekhead, you see an old granny doing 30km/h under the speed limit and you think "Poor old chook!" when in reality both driving behaviours are likely to cause accidents!

I would love to see the statistics on how many Senior citizens are involved in minor accidents (they cant hurt anybody cuz they don't go fast enough)

[dom_105]

Originally Posted by ayeyew

Slower is NOT safer, some of the older people are going 30+km/h UNDER the speed limit. I was behind an old lady (she could barely see over the steering wheel), must have been around aged around 75-80 on Cumberland highway near Parramatta and she was doing 35 in a 70 zone! Mentality is so different between different subsets of the population.. You see a P-plater going 30km/h over the speed limit you think bloody deeekhead, you see an old granny doing 30km/h under the speed limit and you think "Poor old chook!" when in reality both driving behaviours are likely to cause accidents!

Same thing happened to me a few days ago.

Travelling outbound on Melbourne's Eastern Freeway, coming around that bend just before Doncaster Road I came across this old guy in a VL commodore sitting on 60 in my lane (he wasn't in the left lane mind you)

Lucky I saw he was going considerably slower than the rest of the traffic and took evasive action. While I didn't even come close to hitting him, you can just imagine what would happen if somebody actually did.

[FPV8U]

All this will mean is instead of one car hooning around from one spot to another it will be 2 or 3... what an excellent idea.

Also makes it great for me when i decide to drive my parents and girlfriend somewhere "Ahh sorry mum i know my car is a five seater but your going to have to follow me there..."

Also means whenever a group of mates go to the pub the one who pick the short straw to be driver has to do 4 trips instead of one.

Do they evan really think about this rubbish before they put it out.

Originally Posted by sleekism

P platers are starting to put 2 and 2 together and wait for it..........NOT WEARING THEIR P PLATES

A mate of mine got sick of being followed around so he did this for about a month and stopped being followed and pulled over, i put them back up one day, he was pulled over within two days...

[HOON69]

Originally Posted by FPV8U

All this will mean is instead of one car hooning around from one spot to another it will be 2 or 3... what an excellent idea.

couldnt agree more...

the only solution is to put driving school classes into schools and make the legal age to drive back up to how it used to be.

i dont fall into this catergory so i dont care,as long as they dont act a fool around me or my family,i dont care.

[normxb]

Originally Posted by FPV8U

Also means whenever a group of mates go to the pub the one who pick the short straw to be driver has to do 4 trips instead of one.
Do they Even really think about this rubbish before they put it out.
...

(I'm talking NSW here , been Law since June/July , I think )
I've been talking to my 18 y/o daughter about this , when they go out there's 23-24 of them . (small town)

Now they have to take up to 12 cars , where before they took around 5 . there was "Always " a Designated Driver (DD) for each car , so you have a sober driver .

Now if you get that many kids together , how are you going to stop 12 of them drinking to take the other 12 home . What's happened now is you get 3/4 of them "drink driving". Some live 20-30 k's out of town and each area had a DD for the night . They can't do that now , imagine one driver making 3-4 , 30k trips .

In the country it's a real "catch 22" situation .

I'm lucky , we live 3 blocks from the main street , and as her older sister used to do , she leaves her car at home & walks .

As pointed out earlier , driving is a privilege and I totally agree with this , but it makes it very hard for "the out of towners "

I think it needs a "lot more thought" and as said many other times " a lot more driver education " .

I've always told my girls "If you don't feel safe with a driver , say you're going to Spew Up" they soon stop , get out and ring me , no matter what time of night it is .

Norm

[Kryton]

like it or lump it, its going to happen either way.
RACV has no say in the matter, either do any other organisations.
between Vicroads and the Government, it has already been decided that this will be introduced next year.
get used to it.

Originally Posted by Polyal

This forum should either have a section for cry baby p platers, or delete the threads altogether.

i agree.
all the whining is getting beyond a joke.
seriously, if you feel that hard done by, go out and lobby the government.
better yet, dont get a license and you have nothing to worry about.

[uranium_death]

I'm 24 and still in the first year of my Ps (11 months). (Yeah, I know it sounds pathetic).

18 year olds...maybe. But at 24, I'd like to think I have a little more maturity and I don't speed or hoon about, and that sounds a little self-gratifying, but I don't fruit about.

I don't carry loads of people, but it should be carefully introduced as I don't want to be tarnished with a brush well coated in poop.

[ayeyew]

Originally Posted by uranium_death

I'm 24 and still in the first year of my Ps (11 months). (Yeah, I know it sounds pathetic).

18 year olds...maybe. But at 24, I'd like to think I have a little more maturity and I don't speed or hoon about, and that sounds a little self-gratifying, but I don't fruit about.

I don't carry loads of people, but it should be carefully introduced as I don't want to be tarnished with a brush well coated in poop.

I agree

I'm 24, got my P's in January. When i first got the car, yes i did hoon, but that soon wore off.. I'm getting married next year, looking for a house, been to uni for 5 years, got postgraduate qualifications and have a respectable full time job.

I think that 25 is a bit hard to swallow, but perhaps 21 and under for sure.

As previously brought up, this negates the "taxi" for the night, increases the chances of mates racing against each other and increases the amount of P platers on the roads..

Fair enough it does have some positives, but they really have not thought this through properly

[ED Classic]

Puts more P Plate driven cars on the road!!

A couple in this car and a couple in that car next to each other at the lights ends up distracting each other and maybe even a street race which is all you need for some inexperienced drivers!!!

SHYTE IDEA!!