P-plate drivers speed limit to stay at 90km/h

1/12/00
Transport Minister Murray Criddle announced today that the maximum speed for Western Australian probationary drivers would remain at 90 km/h until February 5, 2002.
Mr Criddle said that the 90 km/h speed restriction was a transitional arrangement until all novice drivers had the opportunity to be skilled under WA's Graduated Driver training and Licensing System.
"Those who come through the new graduated driver training and licensing system will have the benefit of supervised driving at higher speeds, and will have better skills and awareness of hazards at higher speeds," he said.
Mr Criddle said the State Government was aware of community concerns about allowing probationary drivers to travel at the maximum speed of 110km/h.
"People were worried that novice drivers who had not gone through the graduated driver training and licensing system would lack the on-road experience and therefore be more vulnerable," he said.
"We have been able to respond positively to those concerns and I'm pleased to support the recommendation from the Road Safety Council that the status quo for P-plate drivers remain in force for another 14 months."
Mr Criddle said letters outlining the change and the reasons for it were being mailed out to the State's 25,000 current P-plate drivers. The changes would also being explained through advertisements.
He said the change would cover those drivers who currently held P-plates or who would obtain them before February 5, 2002 when the first of the new graduated driver training and licensing system students get their drivers licences.
The speed limit for learner-drivers under the graduated driver training and licensing system to be introduced on February 5, 2001 would be 100 km/h as previously announced under the Australian Road Rules.
"The Government and the Road Safety Council believe it is essential to ensure learner drivers have supervised training at higher speeds before they get their P-plates," Mr Criddle said.
"Research tells us that our learners complete the full range of driving experience in order to understand how to deal with the hazards and how to fulfil their responsibilities to other people who share the road network."
Media contact: Doug Cunningham 9321 7333