ADTASA

The Graduated Licensing Scheme (GLS) will be strengthened for young drivers in South Australia with a range of new initiatives to be introduced to Parliament in the latter half of 2009.

The initiatives will include:

• Increasing the current 50 hours of supervised driving required of learner drivers to 75 hours.
• Increasing the minimum time on a Learner’s permit from 6 to 12 months.
• Prohibiting learner and P1 drivers from using any type of mobile phone function while driving.
• Considering a provisional (P1 & P2) driver restriction on driving high-powered cars (with an appropriate exemption system).
• Strengthening the current curfew conditions (applying to drivers returning from a serious disqualification) by restricting the carriage of passengers during the curfew times (midnight – 5am).
• Introducing two demerit points to replace licence disqualification as the penalty for failure to display P-plates.

Replacing the current hardship appeal provision with the offer of a Good Behaviour Agreement.

The initiatives will require the approval of Parliament and if accepted are likely to come into effect in late 2010.

The initiative prohibiting Learner and P1 drivers from using any type of mobile phone function, including hands-free or bluetooth units while driving will come into effect in the first half of 2009 through a regulation change.

More information www.dtei.sa.gov.au and the Media Release www.ministers.sa.gov.au