YAPA media release: 20 October 2010
MEDIA RELEASE
Young Drivers on the Agenda, But Some Left Behind
The Coalition announcement addressing the need for reduced hours for L-Plate drivers and further education is a positive step, but a real commitment is needed to prevent disadvantaged, unemployed and rural young people being left even further behind.
The announcement today by Opposition Roads Minister Andrew Stoner that the coalition supports a day-long course for L-Plate drivers is largely in line with the views of the young people and parents of NSW.
“Our consultations with young people and parents have shown that all involved are overwhelmingly against the largely unworkable 120 hour L-Plate requirement”, says Reynato Reodica, Chief Executive of the Youth Action and Policy Association (YAPA), the peak advocacy group for young people in NSW.
“This requirement places huge financial and time burdens on young people and their families, who must either conduct the lessons themselves, or pay through the nose for private instructors.”
“On behalf of young people and their families, we would support any measure that reduces this requirement to a much more practical level.”
“Our consultations have also shown that young people actively want more driving education, where it is practical and relevant, especially if it counts towards their logbook hours.”
YAPA supports the principles of the coalition announcement, however it advocates that disadvantaged and unemployed young people should not be left behind by added costs, and availability of programs in rural and regional NSW needs to be ensured.
“These young people can’t wait the years it might take for a commitment to funding free courses by the coalition, should it win government at the coming election. We can see the costs of running the program being passed on to all young people, either through increased insurance premiums, or directly through a user-pays system.”
“This would effectively put up further barriers to disadvantaged young people attaining a license – including young people from diverse backgrounds, geographically isolated young people, and unemployed young people. These tend to be groups who are harshest hit by the burdens of the current system and also most in need of the independence that driving brings.”
Media contact
Reynato Reodica
02 9281 5522 ext 1