Play your part

8 July 2022

According to research from Monash University, a first-time P-plater is 33 times more likely to have an accident than a learner driver.

That number halves six months after getting their license.

Clearly, experience counts when young people get out on the road.

However, there are other disturbing numbers. Let’s dig deeper.

Forty-five per cent of all young Australian injury deaths are caused by road accidents, and almost half of all hospitalisations are drivers involved in a road traffic accident – another quarter are pedestrians.

Young drivers – aged between 17 and 25 – represent one-quarter of all Australian road deaths, yet they only represent 10 to 15 per cent of drivers.

I could go on, but I’m sure you get the picture – young drivers are at risk of serious injury or death.

As a parent – and Tasmanian motorist – I reckon this is simply not good enough.

We all need to play a part. Here are some things we can do:

• Set a good example when driving
• Teach children to drive safely
• Invest in driver training courses.

There’s something else you can do – give your children the safest vehicle possible to drive during their formative years. 

That might mean letting them drive your car or, if you can, buy them the safest vehicle possible.

By that, I mean a vehicle with a five-star ANCAP safety rating, with plenty of airbags and other safety gear that will keep them alive if they get into strife. 

It’s the best investment you could ever make.

If you want some guidance, look for the orange sign. TACC new and used car dealers are here to help.

Words: TACC State Manager, Bruce McIntosh. As featured in The Mercury 8 July 2022.