Shadow Minister for Road Safety Julie Freeman MLC has welcomed today’s announcement from the Cook Labor Government on tougher regulations for learner and provisional drivers, describing it as “long overdue” in the face of Western Australia’s escalating road toll.
“Western Australia’s road toll sits at 138 lives lost so far this year – the worst it has been since 2008. We are in the midst of a road safety crisis and thank goodness the Government is finally taking some action,” Ms Freeman said.
However, Ms Freeman raised concerns about the practicality of some proposals and stressed the importance of genuine consultation with young drivers, parents, and guardians.
Among the changes flagged, Ms Freeman questioned the impact of banning drivers from answering calls even when a phone is secured in a cradle, as well as increasing mandatory supervised driving hours from 50 to 75.
“These changes may sound good on paper, but what will they actually look like in practice? Parents and guardians are already under significant pressure, and I am not convinced the Government has fully considered the real-world impact of these new requirements,” she said.
Ms Freeman urged the community to take part in the Government’s consultation process to ensure reforms strike the right balance between safety and practicality.
“We all want safer drivers and fewer tragedies on our roads – but the measures must also be workable. When a young person dies or is seriously injured in a crash, it is a devastating tragedy, and the ripple effect is felt throughout the entire community,” she said.
“It is absolutely vital that we get this right. I urge all young people, parents, and road safety advocates to have their say during the consultation period to ensure these changes deliver safer roads in a practical and realistic way.”
