Year 10 Commerce Research Task Assignment on the P-Plate Drivers

The Issue: P-Plate Drivers

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P-Plate Drivers are young drivers who are always in news for all the wrong reasons. Reasons such as drink driving, drugs, texting and speeding, these factors caused death, serious conditions and most of all they made the road unsafe place. P-Platers dont realize the dangers that happen on the road caused by reckless decisions made on their behalf. They endanger lives of other drivers and their passengers including themselves. Im not saying that every P-plater is a reckless driver; a P-Plater doesnt necessarily represent an entire generation of P-Platers but I believe that they are targeted because theyre young, inexperienced and havent reached their maturity which is why many accidents occurred and not only they are to blame but also the government and the RTA. If we compared the road laws made in United States for young drivers and in here, we would find that the laws made in United States are more effective, why? They are not stricter but they seem to work, lowering the majority of accidents from happening. So, what is Australia doing wrong? Lets us look at the accidents which have occurred in Australia: A P-PLATE driver has been caught allegedly speeding 50km/h over the speed limit and way over the booze limit with his two-year-old daughter in his backseat. The Telegraph. July 28, 2009. Speeding, booze and a young passenger on board? Hes lucky he didnt do any serious damages before he got caught. The question I sure youd be asking him is What were you thinking? In response? His licence had been suspended for three months and hes due in court next month to pay for the damages caused. This method had been used with many P-Plate drivers who did the same but as a result it didnt stop many P-Platers to stop doing the wrong thing. For all you know they would drive on a suspended licence. So, why do they do the wrong thing? This question have plenty of answers depending on the issues the driver faces, which could be peer pressure (they want to prove themselves to others), because theyre cocky or because they generally like doing dangerous stuff to attract attention or it could be fatigue, stress, nerves or weather conditions. Of course, there are no excuses when it comes to driving recklessly, however there should be some reasonable explanation not just because theyre young, immature or inexperienced. Police say they can't believe the behaviour of some P-plate drivers, after a weekend during which three teenagers were killed in Sydney's west. ABC News, October 7, 2010. A reasonable explanation for this would be impossible, since therere no excuses to death. This kind of news shocks a lot of people including the community and family. Three teenagers were killed because the driver was drunk, this little issue could have been avoided and no lives would be lost. Taking a risk like this would always end in tragedy. The19 year old female driver was driving uncontrollably and was also drunk which Police had commented on Young drivers these days drive recklessly without the consideration of other peoples lives they put in line This is affecting the families who have children who are P-Platers, it is creating fear, stress and for what? Because of inexcusable decisions that could be easily avoided, save lives and put families at ease only if P-Platers understand that driving is not a joke and it should be taken seriously. A fact presented by the Sunday Telegraph claims that one P-Plate Driver dies every six days in NSW and 17 of them would crash today. If we did the math, we would certainly find more lives are lost in reckless driving and many of the people in the community blame the government for not being stricter enough.

Current Laws
So many laws made, speed cameras and undercover cops and yet P-Platers find ways to break the law. It is estimated by the RTA that 88,000 P-plate drivers aged between 17-20 had their licence stripped for speeding and drink-driving in the two years in NSW alone. Out of 380,000 P-Platers, almost one in four had broken the law. Here are some on the current laws:-

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Ever since 2004, Police can conduct random roadside saliva testing to detect drivers who've taken illicit drugs. The roadside saliva tests can detect the presence of both THC (the active component in marijuana) and methamphetamine (speed, ice, crystal meth). This law was in effect in 2004 when a survey showed 31% of P-Platers were killed as a result of using illicit drugs. So far, this law had been effective, it had reduced accident and lowered the majority of drug driving. If caught drug driving, a possibility of losing license and being held by the police. Furthermore, a law of zero blood alcohol concentration for every P-Plate Driver. This means a P-Plate must not drink before driving and if caught, a loss of 3 demerit points and car confiscated. This law saved many lives, catching drink drivers before anything happens had saved any accident from happening and prevented death. Every different P-Plate driver has a restricted speed. I.e. a P2 licence holder is not allowed to drive over 100 km/h and P1-Platers past 90 km/h. Speed is a major factor that caused death more than any diseases or any other factor. 40% of PPlaters had their met their fate when speeding. Restricting speed for a P-Plater prevents the driver from crossing the line and prevents any accidents. Also P1 Platers under the age of 25 are only allowed to carry one passenger over 16 of age from 11pm - 5pm Seat belt must ALWAYS be worn. A loss of three demerits points if caught and a fine of $200.

It seems that most of the new laws made do not reach many P-Platers and that is mainly because the news papers and TV don't always give the whole story and many drivers miss out ending them up causing more mischief.

Government Response
For many years, government had tried different approaches to this issue. Many of them failed, some had been working. Now, the government is giving no excuse for any driver to be driving recklessly. Although P1 drivers make up only 3.5 per cent of licence holders, they account for around 13 per cent of fatal crashes which happen in the early hours of the morning, Mr Roozendaal, NSW Road Minister said. Heres some laws made to prevent P-Plate Drivers from crossing the line: First-year P plate drivers caught speeding will lose their drivers licence for at least three months under zero tolerance P plate reforms. A P1- Plate License holders is banned from using any type of mobile phone function while driving. The mobile phone ban includes: using hands-free mode including Bluetooth technology loud speaker operation text messaging The penalty for using a mobile phone while driving will be $218 and three demerit points! This new law for P1 platers was in effect in 2009 after a study from the RTA showed three in four of P-Platers use mobile phone while driving. Banning V8s, turbocharged and supercharged vehicles, as well as vehicles with engine modifications and high-performance six-cylinder vehicles.

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This law would reduce young driver crash rates, injuries or deaths. Since diesel-powered vehicles engines would compel P-Platers to drive recklessly, in other words it would tempt them to speed. This law so far is effective but confusion arises because there are some diesel-powered vehicles are allowed to be driven by P-Plate Drivers.

Under the new laws, P-Plate Drivers in WA are not permitted to drive between midnight and 5am for the first six months of having their license, unless for work or study purposes. A loss of three demerits if caught.

Responses to this law had been endless; this law had some criticism by the community claiming night time restrictions would severely disrupt lifestyles. 'Emma' asked on the Collie Mail Website, "How are we meant to learn the essentials of driving if we cannot have the freedom to drive under different circumstances and at different times?" In 2008 anti-hoon law was introduced in July have brought about a dramatic reduction in reckless driving, such as drag racing and burnouts. The laws allow cars driven by firsttime offenders to be impounded or immobilized for 48 hours. Repeat offenders may lose their cars for three months or permanently. Whats more, a confronting TV advertising campaign is screening across NSW to reinforce Operation Novus, a NSW Police enforcement campaign targeting young drivers (P-Plate Drivers). The ad has two endings: one in which a police officer stops a speeding driver, the other in which he is confronted at a fatal crash scene where a speeding P-Plate Driver killed his best friend. The government is hoping that the ad is sending a strong and important message to PPlate Drivers.

Community Response
The communities these days are doing everything in their power to protect their children and to raise awareness about P-Plate Drivers. Recently, a nationwide survey polled by Rail, Tram and Bus Union found 58% of Australians would support banning P-Plate Drivers from driving on public holidays. 79 per cent of respondents said they would use a dedicated high-speed rail network between Australia's capital cities during holiday periods if one were available Rail Tram and Bus Union national secretary Bob Nanva said the union did not advocate a ban on P-platers. "While these results are surprising, they clearly indicate that the majority of Australians are still concerned about the safety of our roads and want governments to do more to reduce the toll," he said. Not only the public is having their says online and participating in polls concerning the PPlate Drivers, but also petitioning, like for instance, a community in Victoria hoping to get thousands of people in communities to sign a petition to reduce the speed that P-Plate drivers drive to 80km/h. They believe by reducing the speed limit, it would greatly reduce car crashes. This community also suggested rising the provisional licence age to 18 but the youths in the community had commented that is too harsh. Also, in NSW parents who have children in public high schools had argued that the education system should teach students about driving. This news had reached Eastern Creek Driving Training Centre, one of Sydney's largest driver training centres whose instructors had said they had seen positive results in teaching advanced driving skills to private school students but not with public high school students. Public High Schools saying they hear parents in the communities urging them to teach students driving skills but they claim its hard to get driving skills lessons through the education system. More people in the communities, including ex-police officers are still urging the Department of education to get driving skills taught in Public High Schools.

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Private Originations Response

Private organisations are doing the best they can in raising awareness, challenging the government and urging them to solve this issue. One of the private organisations NRMA had proposed a zero-tolerance policy to be adopted. This means that any P-Plate driver commits a traffic offence will have his/her license suspended for three months. Mr Roozendaal, NSW Road Minister had reacted sceptically to this proposal and said the policy could lead to inexperienced drivers losing licenses for offences such as failing to indicate. NRMA motoring and services president Alan Evans said the zero tolerance policy would be tough on young drivers but was necessary to save lives. This proposal is yet to be looked at. Moreover, a newspaper called The Daily Telegraph is raising awareness by making polls, surveys, informing P-Platers of any new laws, presenting facts on the dangers when driving. Posting tragic news of P-Platers who had met their fates. The newspaper also allows families, researchers, police officers to write articles warning P-Platers and advising them to do the right thing. They also interview lucky P-Plate victims who have an important message to all the P-Platers. The page is called: Save our P-Platers Traffic accidents, Safety news and stories. (Daily Telegraph has campaigned hard for law changes to improve the safety of P-Platers.) This page can be found online or in hard copy. I found this newspaper highly informative and helpful. So far, people who read this newspaper said they are really pleased with the effort of the Daily Telegraph.

Individuals Response
Individuals are trying to get their words through P-Platers or the government. These individuals can be a worried person who has a loved person whos a P-Plater. A person who had lost someone who was a P-Plater or it could be some individuals who are generally worried. Like for instance, a local in Schubert says that reports of road accidents occurring are kept with the police. He argued strongly that these reports should be published publicly to the P-Platers so they can get a perspective on the cause of accident and how couldve it been prevented. Also, Stay Safe committee chairman Paul Gibson had said that car manufactures should crop the horsepower of cars P-Platers drive. "Why are manufacturers allowed to produce cars which reach speeds of 250km/h when the maximum legal road speed is 110km/h," Mr Gibson said. An ex-police officer had made a comment on The Daily Telegraph about P-Plate drivers and hes urging to ban high performance engine cars to be driven by P-Platers. As an ex police officer I find it hard to believe that they allow young people on P plates to purchase powerful cars where the power of the vehicle far out ways their driving capability. Why does a red or green P Plate driver need a turbo charged vehicle to get around in? Why do P plate drivers need to drive vehicle that will easily do over 100 miles per hour. I we have a look at the result of these crashes concerning P plate drivers we see three commonalities emerging, one of speed, the driver involved was young and he or she had other young people in the car. One of the worst things in life I have ever had to do was to inform parents of the demise of their child due to a car accident. I assure you it is not pleasant. As a parent myself I am ruing the day that my 15 year old daughter wants to drive. We have a chance here to do something about it, to take an approach and stop this carnage on our roads. May the punishment tougher for stupid driving. Limit the capacity on the engines; make new rules about limiting passengers. Mark my words These arent accidents, when stupid fools get behind a wheel of a car and do stupid things to show off for whatever reason, then it a death waiting to happen. I apologies for being that blunt but I am sick and tired of travelling where I am doing the speed limit, only to be overtaken at speed by a P plate driver with a full complement of

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passengers. When youre doing 100kmh and youre made to look like your standing still, then its too fast. From my research I found that plenty of individuals said that P-Plate Drivers shouldve had long hours to train and improve their driving skills. Theyve also commented that the log book couldve been easily fogged and they ask that the hours should be supervised by instructors.

What has worked so far. . . What hasnt worked so far?

So far all my research was based on the government, adults, parents, communities but PPlaters have never been asked for their opinions. After all they are the ones behind the wheel. P-Platers claim the blame is put in them too much when its only a SMALL majority of PPlaters have broken the rules. P-Plate Drives believe they are easily targeted because theyre young but they believe that if they can vote, own a credit card and join the army then they form a rational thought about their own driving licenses. When the P-Platers were asked to give their opinion of the new restrictions, they replied that limiting passengers, having time restrictions wont stop some other P-Platers to cross the line. Many adults agree, they believe that the more the government restrict the P-Platers, the more they want to rebel, it the teenagers nature. P-Platers said that more training should be available instead of restricting them to a ridiculous amount because some of the P-Platers admitted that they still feel they need more practise. Clearly, restricting P-Platers to a certain time havent been working, neither the amount of the passengers they carry. It is estimated that 45% of P-Platers caught carrying more than one passenger but no punishment was put on. Neither the mobile phone ban had been working. 25,000 P1-Platers have been caught using their mobile phones while driving. They claim that if everybody with a license is allowed to use their mobile phones, why shouldnt they. The new law made that suspend license of a first P1-Plate driver if they caught speed has been working effectively and so have the anti-hoon law. Still there are high diesel-engine powered cars are being allowed to be driven. Overall, not many laws made have been effective. Too many restrictions have driven SOME P-Platers to break the law. P-Platers are joining in the RTA site to have their say, to let their frustration out because some P-Platers had done something wrong, the whole generation of P-Platers had to suffer. These P-Platers who had joined are suggesting some ways to solve the issue but their voices are far from being heard. They included more driving lessons and asked to limit the restriction because its driving other P-Platers to cross the line.

My Own Solutions
Ive have yet to be behind a wheel, but I do have some bizarre suggestions to solve this issue. 1. Ive heard that the limit of license suspension is 3 months. Personally I think a year of suspension to the P-Platers will get the message through. I do recognise that it is harsh but it I strongly think it would make P-Platers think twice before doing some wrong. 2. If a P-Plater has his car confiscated because he/she did something extremely dangerous, e.g. drug driving, racing etc. Instead of holding back the car they should crash the car in front of the P-Plater. This message would get across fast and P-Platers not only will think twice but thrice before doing something wrong because they dont want to see their baby destroyed by the police.

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3. If a P-Plater has a total loss of 8 demerit points, they should strip out their P-Plate and give them L-Plate again. No P-Plater wants to go back to learn. 4. Once in a while a P-Plater should get driving test over a certain period of time. Even though they passed the main test and they drive, they should at least have a test every 3 months to ensure the driver still remember how to drive safely and have more knowledge on driving. This test would make the P-Plate driver stay on the right track. If they fail a test that have been given to them then their license should be stripped until the P-Plate driver pass the next test which would due in 3 months. This will ensure that they do the right thing.

Bibliography
Online:

1. [Link] 2. [Link] [Link] 3. [Link] te_drivers.html 4. [Link] 5. [Link]

Hardcopy: 1. The Daily Telegraph Newspaper 2. The Sunday Telegraph Newspaper

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