Bypass your P's with a driver training course

Victorian news agencies are today reporting that probationary drivers in Victoria could soon spend less time on their Ps with a new proposal suggesting compulsory defensive driving courses could be the answer to making the roads a safer place.

Under the scheme, probationary drivers under the age of 21 who successfully complete a privately operated defensive driving course would be fast-tracked to their full license, shortening the current four-year probation period. P-plate drivers in Victoria currently carry a restricted P1 (red P plate) license for twelve months before progressing to a P2 (green P plate) license for a further three years.

The current Graduated Licensing System (GLS) features a number of restrictions including vehicle performance limitations and peer passenger restrictions. The GLS was introduced in three stages from January 2007, but has come under fire recently as poorly trained young drivers become increasingly over represented in the state's road toll statistics.

While specifics of the new scheme are still a long way off, Road Minister Tim Pallas said the State Government would consider the idea only if it meant young drivers were better equipped to drive more safely on Victorian roads.

"The advice up until now has been relatively clear: that off-road driver training hasn't substantially improved the safety record for drivers," explained Pallas.

"Nonetheless, I understand it is an issue that is still the subject of debate. We'll look at it again."

But senior road safety researcher Stuart Newstead of the Monash University Accident Research Centre believes the idea needs more thought.

"Many of the driving courses that we have seen promoted through the community have proven to be relatively ineffective," said Newstead.

"I think the current graduated licensing system, is designed on the best available evidence of what is effective for young drivers."

Though not everyone believes the political spin, with Metropolitan Traffic Education Centre general manager Neill Shelldon telling the Carsales Network he believes professional training is pivotal to improving road safety among skill-poor 18-25 year-old drivers.

"The reality is, that as with any complex task, professional training will go a long way in assisting young drivers to have a better understanding of what their car and themselves as a driver can, and more importantly, can't do," explained Shelldon.

"There's this strange notion out there that defensive driving courses are all about encouraging faster driving -- this is nonsense. Defensive driving courses promote a go-safer, not a go-faster attitude, and it's vitally important that all young drivers gain some form of professional driver training to supplement the experience gained with Mum and Dad."

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