The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad has renewed calls for the State Government to reduce the probationary driving age to 17, in line with every other state and territory in Australia.
Speaking in Parliament, Ms Broad said the current minimum age of 18 was out of step with the rest of the country and placed unnecessary pressure on regional families.
Ms Broad said the lack of public transport in many regional communities meant young people relied heavily on their families for transport to work, sport and training.
“It is a common story that I have heard from families across northern Victoria and across the state. Some live on farms where their kids have been driving for years, others want to take up an apprenticeship but need a licence to get there, and young people who live on the border need to wait a year longer than their classmates.”
Ms Broad has raised the P-plate issue several times with the Minister for Roads and Road Safety.
“I note the Minister’s response that the government believes that reducing the minimum drivers licence age would not be in the community’s best interests and that young people aged 18 to 25 account for a higher number of accidents. But that is consistent with data we see right across other states as well, where the minimum driving age is 17.”
Ms Broad urged the Minister to consider driver training incentives in other states like New South Wales and the St John driver first aid program in the ACT.
“As a parent of three kids who all now are on P-plates and someone whose family knows the pain of losing a loved one on the road, I am aware of the risks and the responsibility we all have at any age to drive safely every time we get behind a wheel. But this restriction on the driving age, which is unique to Victoria, needs to change.
“It is also worth noting that in Victoria you can get a full marine licence at 16 years of age and you can get a private pilot licence at age 17. In Victoria change is long overdue, and I urge the minister to bring Victoria into line with every other state and reduce the minimum driving age to 17.”
Last year Ms Broad sponsored a petition on the P-plate driving age, which highlighted strong community support for the proposal.
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764
