Editorial: Time to get tough on teen drivers

Anything to make our roads safer has to be a good thing.

After a horrific road holiday road toll, where 50 per cent more people were killed than in the previous year, this country needs to take a serious look at improving driver skills and attitudes.

News that the restricted driver test is about to get tougher and longer is welcomed by this newspaper.

From next month, the test time will more than double and will allow a more comprehensive assessment of the applicant's safe driving skills.

The changes are part of the Government's Safer Journeys strategy and aim to encourage drivers to clock up at least 120 hours of supervised practice before going solo.

Tauranga driving instructors say the new test is much needed, particularly by younger drivers.

Teens will most likely say that they are being unfairly targeted but this new test will give them the chance to prove their ability as a driver.

At the moment the statistics are not in their favour - car crashes are the leading single cause of death for teenagers aged 15-19. NZTA figures also show teens are more likely to crash while on a restricted licence than any other time in their life.

Young drivers have faced many changes in the past year or so, including the raising of the driving age to 16 and a zero alcohol limit for those under 20.

The Government must be commended for acknowledging the need to improve these numbers. But there is only so much the lawmakers can do - parents play the biggest role in training young drivers.

So it is concerning that they are just as reluctant as their children to embrace the test changes. An NZTA survey of more than 580 New Zealand parents of teens shows few are keen on on committing to the recommended amount of practice and supervision.

It is appalling that parents think their teens are such good drivers they do not need continued training and guidance.

Do they not realise the potential dangers on the roads?

Have they not read the facts and figures?

Perhaps it is high time they did - it just might save a life.