Compulsory driver training for all year 10 students

The Victorian Labor opposition party has announced that if it wins the November 29 state election it will build a 'world-first' road safety education complex for young drivers. It will also make it compulsory for all year 10 students to undergo defensive driver training as part of attaining a P-plate licence.

The bold multi-million dollar road safety policy was announced by the leader of the Victorian State Labor party, Daniel Andrews, who pledged a total of $146 million towards making young drivers safer on the road.

He said it was the largest investment in driver training and education for kids in the state's history.

"If we put our kids face to face with the consequences of bad decisions behind the wheel, we can make them think twice and potentially save their life," said Andrews.

The licencing laws around much of Australia were drafted decades ago when there were fewer people on the roads and less in-car distractions.

"Our plan will make sure that young people know about the risks of driving, not just the rules of driving," added Andrews, who observed that almost 20 per cent of drivers killed on Victorian roads in 2013 were aged between 18 and 25.

The new policy will enrol all year 10 students in a free half-day defensive driving course, implemented by 2018. It would cost taxpayers around $24 million over four years and  will ensure all P-plate drivers complete the driver training course, as the defensive driving will become a mandatory requirement for a probationary licence.

Labor will also reward the most responsible young drivers with a free three-year licence. Under the $7 million plan, drivers who have completed four years on P plates with no road offenses will be eligible.

The current P-plate licensing involves a hazard perception test, done on a computer and requires 54 per cent for a pass, and a driving test conducted on the road over a set course that assesses the ability to obey road rules and requires drivers to show competency in practices such as parallel or reverse parking, which many modern cars achieve automatically.

The new policy aims to "arm kids with the skills and support they need to become safe drivers" according to the Labor party's press statement, and will include the creation of a 'world-first' road safety education complex.

It is another key part of the policy and at $80 million the new Crash and Trauma Education Centre will show young motorists the results of road trauma caused by unsafe driving and poor decision making.

Comprising simulators, exhibits and presentations from victims of road trauma and emergency workers, the new complex has been dubbed a 'global' hub for road safety will "take our road safety initiatives to the world" says the Labor party.

Other elements of the policy include more funding ($15 million) for drug and booze buses, and programs to help disadvantaged young people get their licence, particularly those who don't have access to a car. It contends the latter deters unlicensed driving.

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