Australia plans to implement key road safety reforms in 2025 aimed at reducing collisions and encouraging safer driving behavior among young and inexperienced drivers below 25 years of age.
Total Ban for HandsFree Function for Young Drivers
New regulations outline a complete ban on mobile phone usage for learner and provisional drivers under the age of 25. Hands-free voice commands and/or GPS applications can only be used when the phone is securely mounted. There will be significant fines for phone usage offenses, and in some regions, penalties can rise to over $1600. This is part of a broader initiative aimed at reducing the distractions that young drivers face, in light of the inexperience, risk-taking tendencies and emerging driving skills.
Enhanced Requirement for Supervised Driving Hours
For learner drivers under 25 years of age, the supervised driving hours are now set at 120 hours, 20 of which must be at night, prior to moving on to probationary licensing. This is aimed at guaranteeing that young drivers acquire sufficient in practical driving experience in different driving conditions before they are able to drive solo. Supervisors must possess a full unrestricted license. Learner drivers must comply with a strict zero blood alcohol limit and speed restriction capped at 90 km/h during the learner phase.
Pilot Safe Driving Course and Educational Initiatives
As an example, the Western Australia state government is initiating a pilot Safe Driving Course aimed at people under 25 years old. This course will teach young drivers about road trauma and outlines safe driving techniques. Efforts like the Prevent Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth (P.A.R.T.Y) program are being adapted to raise awareness about risky driving in regional students. In Victoria, secondary school to be offered new courses focused on driving and vehicle maintenance to be offered to senior students.
This is all part of Australia’s ongoing effort to prevent road deaths and injuries by young drivers. Australia is working to encourage young drivers to adopt safe driving habits and better education by enforcing stricter regulations on mobile phone usage and graduate licensing. This is part of the effort to improve national road safety legislations and manage the risks with young drivers.