Learners Allowed to Drive Faster on NSW Roads

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4 X 4 Convertible Coupe Hatch Learner drivers in NSW won’t have to annoy their MORE ABOUT WHEELS MAGAZINE: parents nearly as much, with the announcement that they can reduce their compulsory supervised logbook hours Self-slider: BMW's ConnectedDrive Sedan Wagon Ute Other from 120 to 80 by taking part in professional driver 2013 VFACTS: Winners and losers training. Subaru BRZ: In a dealership near you 10 for 2014: Your next top model In a stunning move of common sense, Learner drivers Top 10 2013: HSV GTS will also be able to travel at a maximum speed of 90km/h, up from 80km/h, from July 1, according to NSW Minister Want a daily dose of for Roads, Duncan Gay. ninemsn Motoring? TOPICS: Like our Facebook page Learners will still form dangerous moving chicanes on and get in on the action! the road if they travel in 100 or 110km/h zones, but at Wheels Magazine Join Now least they’ll be slightly more prepared to drive at those speeds once they get their P Plates.

The move follows a recommendation from the Auditor General to review Learner speed limits.

A new Safer Drivers Course will be available to Learners from July and will involve both theoretical and practical coaching in driving habits. The five-hour course gives Learners 20 hours worth of credit to take off their 120-hour logbook total, a further 20 hours can be knocked off by taking 10 hours of professional driving lessons.

“Young drivers are tragically over-represented in the NSW road toll and we want to ensure they are all given the opportunity to learn about road safety while they are still learning the basics of driving,” Mr Gay said.

“The course deals with different road conditions, understanding factors beyond a driver’s control and also helps identify risks on the road.

“We recommend that learners enrol in the course when they have 50 hours completed in their logbook. By that stage they will have basic driving skills and will understand and appreciate the lessons they will be taught.”

Mr Gay said the cost of the course would be capped at “an affordable price”.

“The course will help those young drivers who struggle to log 120 hours behind the wheel while on their L-plates while at the same time addressing safety issues they will face when they first drive solo,” he added. LATEST GALLERIES The editor of Wheels magazine, Stephen Corby, welcomed the two moves, but said he’d like to see the state government, and other states, go further.

“Road-safety advocates have been promoting the idea of driver training for many years, and this is a step in the right direction, but it is not compulsory and many Learners will still choose not to do the course and go out on the roads to repeat the bad habits their parents are handing down to them,” he said.

“Driver training should be compulsory, as it is for motorcyclists who go for their Learners’ permits. Even attitudinal and theoretical training can be extremely valuable.”

The move to a 90km/h limit was also a baby step towards good sense, Mr Corby added.

“Strangely, when I and many other adults got their L plates, we were allowed to drive at the national speed limit, so that we would learn how to do so. Now, we have a situation where Learners are forced to drive under the limit, causing dangerous tailbacks and unsafe overtaking manoeuvres by frustrated drivers. Father's Day gift ideas for car- “It must be extremely stressful to be a Learner, forced to drive at 20, or even 30km/h slower than the traffic around you. loving dads No wonder kids all drive automatics these days.”

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1-5 of 5 comments

QLD Learner! Posted by: Rubber Soul, Brisbane, on 12/03/2013 7:43:30 PM I'm a learner in Queensland and we don't have speed limits. We have to do 100 logbook hours but we get 'triple time' with an instructor up to 30 logbook hours (10 actual hours) - 1hr with instructor = 3 logbook hours, 10hrs = 30hrs. I'm glad I live in Queensland - I think it's the best state for learner drivers!

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Driving Posted by: PinkK, Australia, on 12/03/2013 4:42:17 PM Vic L platers are allowed to do the limit, be it 100 or 110kmh. I believe everyone should have to perform a mandatory 10 hrs with a professional driver and there should be help put in place for those that cannot afford to pay for a professional driver. To many people behave like it is their right to drive a car (and not just 'hoons') and forget that they are throwing around an object that weighs over 1 ton. Also they quite often don't know how to control it in ANY tricky situation, whether that be turning or accelerating on gravel, in the wet, how dangerous their car become when they don't replace the tyres or breaks, or replace them with the cheapest product available that would struggle to stop a bike etc. Driver education does not end with L and P platers, it only starts with them.

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One thing QLD are smarter at Posted by: MinusZero, Brisbane, on 12/03/2013 3:35:35 PM In QLD, Learners can drive at 100kph so they dont hold up traffic on highways. QLD wins again!

Report comment Wow cant believe they did it :o Posted by: Lady Skull, Newcastle, on 12/03/2013 2:43:17 PM Wow... this means my cousin got all his hours in like 6 months he's already got 110 he'll be happy to hear about this. I think they should have a look at the 'proffesional driver' thing though, my grandfather is a courier for the mines, he drives every day and he thinks that he should be counted as a professional driver. I have my P's so none of this really bothers me anymore i did all of the professional driver lessons with a driving school so it didnt bother me at all. I did all 120 of my hours and it took me nearly 2 years so its good that they've dropped the hours a little bit =]

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Faster Learner Drivers Posted by: db, Baulkham Hills, on 12/03/2013 1:38:38 PM Good idea at last, pity wrong L plate displayed, should be Yellow N.S.W. plate. Whilst hours driven with parents should be noted in logbook, only hours done with a professional driver trainer should count towards numbers required, which could be less. Most parents admit that they would not pass driving test if they had to do it again.

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