UPDATE: Western Australia is considering significant changes to its learner driver framework as road fatalities surge across the state. The proposed revisions aim to increase the supervised driving hours required for new drivers from 50 to 75 hours and extend the provisional driver period from two to three years.
Former driving instructor Ross Wright argues that these measures alone won’t address the alarming rise in road deaths, which recently hit an 18-year high in Western Australia. “Relying on ‘mum and dad’ to teach new drivers is a recipe for disaster,” he stated, emphasizing the need for professional driving lessons.
Wright, who has over two decades of experience in instructing drivers, highlighted that bad habits passed on from parents can lead to dangerous driving behaviors. “It’s nonsense to think that informal teaching is sufficient,” he added, pointing out that essential mental skills like patience and courtesy are often overlooked.
The urgency of this issue is stark, with five people dying on Australian roads each day. Data from the National Road Safety data hub reveals that 1,340 road deaths occurred in the year leading up to August, reflecting a troubling 2.9% increase from the previous year.
Wright calls for a shift in the learning process, advocating for a mandatory minimum of five professional driving lessons to ensure new drivers are equipped with safe driving practices. “These sessions could cover crucial topics like road positioning and driving attitudes,” he explained.
While existing policies in states like New South Wales and Queensland incentivize professional lessons by allowing each hour with a licensed instructor to count for three hours in the learner’s logbook, no jurisdiction currently mandates professional instruction.
The potential cost of adding mandatory lessons could be around $400, given the average rate of $80 per hour. However, advocates believe this investment is essential for improving road safety.
Ross Rivalland from Ezlicence, a platform connecting learners with instructors, supports the idea of introducing professional lessons into the learner journey. He stated, “Not all supervisors are equal, and some may unintentionally reinforce outdated habits.”
As the state government invites feedback on this proposal, the conversation around road safety and driver education is gaining momentum. Authorities have yet to respond to inquiries regarding the proposed changes, leaving the future of driving instruction in Western Australia uncertain.
With road fatalities on the rise, the time to act is now. Will Western Australia implement sweeping reforms to driver education? Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
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