Learner's Log helps young drivers reach their goal

08 Oct 2003

Media Release - 8 October 2003

TAC Minister Rob Hulls and Richmond footballer David Rodan today launched a new online program designed to encourage learner drivers to notch up 120 hours of practice before they sit for their driver's licence.

Mr Hulls said that the interactive program was designed to allow learner drivers to record their driving experience electronically and receive advice and incentives for further practice.

He said that the program had been carefully developed to reduce the incidence of road crashes among young drivers.

"Although learner drivers rarely have crashes, P plate drivers are three times more likely to be involved in crashes than older, more experienced drivers," Mr Hulls said.

"One way of reducing this risk is to give learner drivers every opportunity to gain the confidence and skills they need now so that they are able to handle themselves later on as independent drivers.

"Given that around 70,000 new learner drivers go out onto Victorian roads every year, it's too valuable an audience to not do everything within our power to reach."

International research has shown that if learner drivers gain a minimum of 120 hours supervised driving practice in a range of conditions before they get their driver's licence, they reduce their crash risk by a third.

The TAC Learner's Log contains inbuilt incentives that can be downloaded once participants have reached a milestone in their practice hours.

Information is also provided for parents on how to structure practice, so that their teenager gains well rounded experience in a broad range of road conditions.

In 2002, 124 young people aged 16 to 25 years died on Victorian roads; thousands more were seriously injured.

Mr Hulls said that although the statistics were troubling, the reduction in this year's youth road toll demonstrated that the measures put in place by the TAC, VicRoads and Victoria Police were working.

"This year 21 more young people are still alive compared to the same time last year and we aim to see this continue."

Learner drivers can register at www.learnerslog.com.au. Victoria's road toll currently stands at 255, compared with 299 at the same time last year, a decrease of 15%.

Media contact

Joel Deane 0407 139 441