Learning curve

Why P-plate drivers are the biggest risk to themselves.

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Professor Teresa Senserrick, from Queensland University of Technology’s Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety, says the rst 12 months of driving solo is a critical time for learner drivers.

Prof Senserrick says that the learner stage is safe. But when you look at the risk curve for the rst six to 12 months on your P-plates, we see one of the highest spikes of crash rates throughout a driver’s lifespan (see last issue).

In Tasmania, the Department of State Growth recently implemented an enhanced Graduated Licensing System (GLS) to support young people to become safer drivers by making sure they get more on-road supervised driving experience in a wider range of conditions before being allowed to drive without supervision.

Prof Senserrick's top advice for P-platers is to make sure they have plenty of space between them and the vehicle in front. 80 HOURS

of driving practice (at least) significantly reduces a learner’s risk of a crash

“New drivers of all ages are focused just immediately ahead because they‘re now suddenly intensely aware they haven‘t got somebody else looking around for them,” she says.

“If you leave a longer gap behind the vehicle you‘re following, you open up your vision to see so much more.”

Prof Senserrick says while young drivers had very sharp re exes and reacted well to dangerous situations, they identified them later than experienced drivers. Leaving that gap gives you a greater time to react to something unexpected.

“These are instincts that you learn from driving. You can‘t teach that.”

It’s the hazard perception skills – scanning the environment for potential dangers – that take time to develop.

Driving is a complex skill and the more practice a learner gains, the safer they will be when they start driving solo. There is no substitute for on-road practice under supervision. Gaining a minimum of 80 hours of driving practice signi cantly reduces a learner’s risk of a crash once they do start driving solo.

Prof Senserrick says young drivers were also more easily distracted as their developing brains were “wired” to take everything in rather than concentrate on a single focal point.

“If you have a computer screen and you tell children and adolescents and adults to just look at the centre of the screen and don‘t look at the ashing light at the bottom of the screen, kids can do it and adults can do it, but the adolescent brain will always look at that ashing light.”

This natural trait increases the level of distraction and risk when a young adolescent is driving, especially when others are in the vehicle.

The new GLS recognises P1 drivers still have limited experience and need to devote most of their attention to the task of driving. That’s why removing distractions like peer passengers and mobile phones is important.

When drivers continue to progress through the licensing system, the risk of crashing starts to reduce, and drivers see an easing of restrictions.

So, while your learner might be in a rush to get their Ps, as a supervisor, remember that the more experience they get in that learner phase, the safer they’ll be as a solo driver.

Record your learner driving hours with the Plates Plus logbook app. Visit platesplus.tas.gov.au