NRMA rejects 'S-plates' for seniors

Calls to require senior drivers in NSW to display "S-plates" on their vehicles do not have the support of the NRMA, the motoring organisation says.

The plate proposal, for all drivers aged over 85, has been criticised by pensioners for making them feel like targets on the road.

NRMA Motoring & Services president Alan Evans said the proposal had been raised by some of its members, but it was not being pushed by the organisation.

It was not included in the NRMA's submission to the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA), which is reviewing licensing arrangements for older drivers, Mr Evans said on Sunday.

"S-plates were an idea raised by some NRMA members during our community consultation on the licensing of older drivers, but it is not a notion accepted by us," Mr Evans said in a statement.

"It is certainly not our policy, nor will it be.

"S-plates were not included in the NRMA's submission to government."

NSW Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal does not support the S-plate proposal, according to a Fairfax news report Sunday.

The RTA has released a discussion paper which identified major changes for the licensing of older drivers, including restricting those aged over 85 to the familiar roads within a 10km radius of their home.

The RTA received more than 24,000 submissions in response to the discussion paper, and many called for the introduction of a S-plate to identify older drivers.

Thousands of submissions also opposed any S-plate move.

Older drivers have pointed to crash statistics which show they have less accidents than younger motorists, while they also warn a S-plate could cause a spike in road rage incidents.

"S-plates give rise to harassment, if elderly drivers are marked out," Paul Versteege, of the Combined Pensioner and Superannuants Association, told Fairfax.

"It will lead to an increase of targeted road rage incidents."

Shirley Gottlieb, 72, also described the proposal as an insult.

"I think I drive as well as any youngster," she told the newspaper.

"I think, certainly if they (older drivers) have accidents, things have to change, but I drive pretty well."

The NSW opposition on Sunday said it welcomed the government's rejection of a S-plate, saying the move was discriminatory, but it was also time to end the uncertainty.

"Older drivers have been waiting since October for the Iemma government to announce its plans," Liberal leader Barry O'Farrell said.

"It's time Mr Roozendaal put an end to the uncertainty and announced a position."

Source: AAP 2008

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