Increased driving age, other changes set to become law

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An increase in the driving age from 15 to 16 takes effect on Monday, August 1, and other measures designed to make young people safer on the roads will follow.

The blood alcohol limit for drivers under 20 will reduce to zero on August 7, and in February next year restricted licence tests will be strengthened.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce said today improving the safety of young drivers was a priority because they were disproportionately represented in fatal and serious crash statistics.

Those between 15 and 24 made up 15 per cent of all licenced drivers but in 2010 they were involved in about 35 per cent of all serious injury crashes, he said.

Crashes where young drivers were at fault resulted in 128 deaths and 697 serious injuries last year.

"While none of the new measures is a silver bullet on its own, together they will have a significant impact...they will all help keep our most inexperienced drivers safer on the roads," Mr Joyce said.

The Stuff website reported teenagers were rushing to book tests for their learner licences before the Monday deadline.

Those who currently hold a learner licence can apply to progress to a restricted licence when they turn 16.

- NZPA