Young Drivers On The Agenda, But Some Left Behind

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20th October 2010, 05:12pm - Views: 1112





Misc Miscellaneous Youth Action And Policy Association NSW 1 image

20.10.10 


Young Drivers on the Agenda, But

Some Left Behind


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 



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.”



For comment : 

Reynato Reodica, Youth Action and Policy Association :

(02) 9281 5522 ext. 1






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