Compulsory defensive driving could cut road toll

Compulsory defensive driving courses could be looked at as one way of cutting the country's road toll, says Transport Minister Pete Hodgson.

Responding to a question about how he would cut road deaths, Mr Hodgson said compulsory defensive driving courses for graduated drivers could help.

At present drivers can have six months taken off the 18 months they have to spend on a restricted licence if they complete a defensive driving course.

Mr Hodgson said the idea was not Government policy, but it could be something Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven could look at.

"I think it could get into the mix and I think people will look at what the benefits of it might be," Mr Hodgson said.

Between 8000 and 9000 drivers a year who were on their restricted licences took a defensive driving course to reduce the time before they got their full licences, said Land Transport New Zealand spokesman Andy Knackstedt.

"It's a really good idea, the incentives are already there, but it does raise the question of whether we would get more gains by making it compulsory," Mr Hodgson said.

The suggestion was welcomed by AA Driver Education Foundation chief executive Peter Sheppard, who said he would support it but with a degree of caution.

"As a means of increasing awareness among drivers we would support more drivers doing defensive driving courses," Mr Sheppard said.

"A great percentage of drivers are safe drivers. I'm just a little bit cautious about going after the law of the few, the minority penalising the majority."

National Party transport spokesman Maurice Williamson said his party was not considering compulsory defensive driving courses.

He said driver education was important and believed there was benefit in the courses but doubted they would become compulsory.