TALK DOWN THE TOLL: City P-platers in driver trial

A WORLD-first research trial tackling risky driving among P-plate drivers has begun in Geelong.
More than 250 of the region’s P-platers have signed up for the trial under Brace Education and Training.
Transport Accident Commis-sion head Janet Dore said the trial would test a “new approach” to addressing young drivers’ risky behaviour.
The project focused on changing behaviour rather than car handling skills, she said.
“It’s designed to address the key risk behaviours that lead to the most prevalent crash types for newly licensed drivers.”
Ms Dore said the trial sought to sign up more than one in two newly licensed P-platers in Victoria for 26,000 participants in this state and 1600 in New South Wales.
“The trial needs high volumes of participants in order to make this project a real success.
“We’d like to ask the people of greater Geelong and surrounding region who may know a young driver, to encourage them to get involved and help keep them and their mates safe on our roads.”
Ms Dore said 3000 new P-platers had signed up so far.
Victorian drivers aged 18 to 22 represented only seven per cent of licensed motorists but tragically accounted for around 23 per cent of deaths and serious injuries, she said.
The $10 million trial has funding from state and federal governments, Royal Automobile Club Victoria, NRMA Insurance and Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries
Ms Dore said P-platers could sign-up online at www.my livetribe.com.au or phone 1800 454 133.