TAC warning to young drivers as Schoolies nears

02 Nov 2015

The Transport Accident Commission has issued a road safety warning to Victoria's VCE students ahead of end-of-school celebrations later this month.

As the latest crop of school leavers prepares for final exams, many will also be preparing to head to coastal resorts and other Schoolies destinations around the country.

Transport Accident Commission senior road safety manager Samantha Cockfield said, for many, Schoolies Week would be their first road trip as independent adults.

"Schoolies is an exciting time in a young person's life and we don't want that excitement to turn to tragedy because of a wrong decision made on the roads," Ms Cockfield said.

With young drivers 30 times more likely to crash in their first six months of driving solo, Ms Cockfield said it was crucial that they plan their trips and avoid risky behaviours like speeding, drink or drug driving, mobile phone distractions and driving while drowsy.

"Between, inexperience, long distances and unfamiliar roads, school leavers already face a lot of challenges on the roads without adding alcohol, distraction, fatigue or speed to the mix," she said.

"Laws preventing P-platers from consuming any alcohol before driving and restricting the number of passengers they can carry are there to save lives so it is critical that people do the right thing."

Ms Cockfield said parents had a role in helping their children plan for a safe return from their Schoolies road trip.

"If your child is going on a long trip, which for a new driver can be as short as two hours, you can help by making sure they plan rest stops and that they take the family's safest car," she said.

"It's also important to have a conversation about risky driving behaviours and help them come up with strategies to avoid temptation, like leaving their phones in the boot or planning how to get to and from events where alcohol will be involved."

Ms Cockfield reminded school leavers that the police presence around Schoolies hotspots would be high.

"If you are doing the wrong thing, you can bank on getting  caught. The alternative could be far worse and no parent wants to get a knock on their door telling them their child has been hurt."

The TAC is also encouraging young drivers to visit the new How Safe is Your First Car website before buying their first set of wheels. The site, howsafeisyourfirstcar.com.au, provides information on thousands of safe used cars and allows buyers to search based on their individual budgets.

TAC has issued a road safety message for schoolies

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