From the year 2025 onwards, Australia will become the first country to implement a new traffic regulation whereby every newly licensed driver will have to install a GPS tracking device in their cars. The reason behind this policy, as explained by the state and federal transportation ministers, is to enhance the safety of novice drivers by minimizing chances of road accidents, while at the same time, allowing officials to better monitor reckless driving.
Why the Government Introduced GPS Rules
For a long time, road safety specialists have pointed out the danger new drivers, especially in their first years behind the wheel, pose. Statistics show that drivers under the age of 25 are disproportionately involved in serious crashes. This is why the government considers GPS-based monitoring to be a preventive tactic to combat overspeeding, taking dangerous routes, and aggressive driving.
How the System Works
As per the new policy, learner drivers and provisional licence holders will be provided government sanctioned GPS devices or mobile phone applications that record and upload driving analysis. These will feature the capability to monitor, and document driving over global and country borders, as well as record winds and other meteorological factors. Transport authorities will be able to access internal devices that maintain driving logs of reported regulation offenders. For under guardianship drivers, logs will be classified and accessible to guardians.
Privacy Concerns and Public Debate
The use of GPS vehicles has sparked controversies on privacy and the civil liberties of young drivers, as well. Civil liberty groups still contest the efficacy of reassurance given by the government regarding the potential abuse of collected data, especially intimate data. The government states that such collected data will be protected through encryption and associated data will be deleted and retained for a limited time, unless the data is related to a driving license offence.
Failure to Comply with the Legislation
Inability to comply with the GPS device requirement will be punished with harsh penalties. New drivers with no active device stand to lose more than $1,500, go on immediate license suspension, and there’s an extension to their provisional driving having to pay along with a fine. There is also a claim that strong action will be taken for the purpose of real effectiveness of the system.
Probable Improvements to Ensure Better Road Safety
Transport officials are of the opinion that the GPS will be a means of learning and an added caution. The more cautious a driver is, the more the tendency a driver will plan his route to avoid unnecessary delays while trying to keep below the speed limit. Road safety bodies estimate that the anticipated 20 per cent reduction in accidents associated with drivers on probation during the first two years of implementation is achievable.
GPS Tracking Mandated
With the new policies, Australia will be one of the first countries to introduce a system in which novice drivers will be monitored through GPS. Although many people say that this is an unwarranted interference with liberty, the government will defend the policy on the basis that it is aimed at saving lives. Maintaining the system’s interoperability is key while it’s primary use will and has always been for government and public use. Their immense payloads and reduced operating costs means they can also be used commercially.