Comments on: NSW P-Platers Banned from Mobile Phones (handsfree)

By: Bart

Bart — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 10:53:57 +0000

It’s paternalism gone mad. The regulations are getting ridiculous and responsible middle aged P-platers with a lot of driving experience who just happen to come from one of the “non-recognised” countries are unfairly victimized.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:37:06 +0000

I don’t think it’s fair to paint all P-Platers with the same brush. While obviously what has happened to you is terrible, not all drivers on P-Plates are maniacs. By the same token, not all drivers that have been driving for 20+ years are angels.

I agree that something needs to be done about the road toll, but threatening drivers with massive fines until all they do is look at the speedo in between glimpses of the road is probably not the right thing. Clearly, the learning process needs to be more detailed. I think the one year/100 hrs that they have to do in QLD is about right, but driving with Mum and Dad for 85 of those 100 hours isn’t going to produce the safest drivers around. Maybe a few defensive driving courses where they teach you what excess speed does to cornering? I can’t imagine 19 year old Britney really properly understands the relationship between under/oversteer and speed.

By: James

James — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:45:21 +0000

Regardless of those tough laws, dodgy P-Platers could simply abandon their cars for as if they never had the license until they are promoted to full license drivers. however those people will be more dangerous than ever due to lack of practice behind wheels!

By: Howie-R31

Howie-R31 — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 05:09:44 +0000

Luke,
So your saying, give them 1 point. If they are driving, for example, a car at 80km (which they are restricted to) but the tyre size is a little bigger on their car than what it was brought out with, and they are actually doing 83km/hr, they should then lose their licence there and then?

By: Luke Benson

Luke Benson — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:49:10 +0000

Anything to stop these p-plate idiots from causing even more accidents is a good idea. They should:

Give P platers only 1 point, that’s it, if they even go over the speed limit once, go through a stop sign whilst texting, or drink drive once they lose their license permanently and have to go through the whole learn to drive thing again.

My wife and daughter were killed last year when one of these idiots ploughed into them going way over the speed limit.

People that complain the laws are too tough have never themselves being a direct or indirect victim of the insuing crime.

By: Jess

Jess — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 01:56:42 +0000

I also think it is unfair, at least let P Platers pull over the car, without turning the motor off. I also noticed that these days, there are barely ANY places to pull over. There are no options anymore…
Also, families may like to keep track of their son/daughter P Plater while they are driving to check they are okay.

And…lets ask the question…The RTA ARE the people giving people these licences, and most people are very bad drivers. I think They should be looking more at the Asian drivers than P platers. Asians are horrific drivers, maybe due to their eyes being half closed all the time. They should be monitered and picked on like us P platers.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 11:17:25 +0000

By the same token – passengers should also be banned? Maybe radios should be banned too – they are distracting – especially those pesky talkback types.

“There is a dramatically increased risk of accident when a young driver uses a mobile phone while driving,” NSW Government.

I bet there is a bloody decent increased risk of accident when OPEN licenced drivers use their phones too – all or none guys, seriously.

By: Peter

Peter — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 05:19:23 +0000

I think it’s a good idea. Bluetooth/other handsets only deal with the physical distraction of a phonecall, not the mental. It’s also up to the driver to find a space to pull over to answer the phone, or to make a call. You also don’t have to answer the phone.