National Motorists Association Australia

MEDIA RELEASE

26th May, 2003

Motoring group's qualified support for driver education

The National Motorists Association Australia today offered qualified support for the agreement between State and Territory Transport Ministers to ensure every new licenced driver undergoes a standard driving safety course.

Queensland liaison officer Jim Wright said "We fully support improving driver education for new drivers in principle. Inexperience is a major cause of crashes and we welcome any program that can save the lives of young motorists. We have been calling for improved driver education for years and it is refreshing that action is finally being taken."

Mr. Wright expressed concerns about the standard of the training. "The idea of having a completely theoretical one day course may be a step in the right direction. However practical driving skills cannot be learned in a classroom and learning to drive outside of a car is like learning to swim without getting wet. We doubt that such a course will fully equip young drivers for driving on the road."

Motorists also have concerns about the content of the course. "We'd hate to see such a positive move be tainted by the usual nonsense that is passed off as road safety education.

"It would be very disappointing if the courses cut back on practical driving instruction and focused only on the 'speed kills' indoctrination our government is pushing so heavily. So often we see television ads which imprint poor driving technique on viewers (e.g. locking brakes and failing to swerve) and provide misleading information about speed, braking distances and safety. Any similarities with the ads would make the courses a waste of time." argued Wright.


For Comment, please contact:

James Wright
0403-066986 (mob)
07-38444035 (w)
Email: jim_wri@hotmail.com