TALK THE TOLL DOWN: P-plate ‘trial’ for behaviour

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A RESEARCH program aimed at changing P-plate driver behaviour has attracted 165 Geelong volunteers, according to State Government.
Transport Minister Terry Mulder said 52 of the 165 P-plate drivers had already been allocated into the MyLiveTribe project.
Mr Mulder said the research-based trial had a program group with 30 participants and a control group with 22 participants so far.
“The program group will undertake the behaviour-change program over four to six weeks and the project will monitor their driving experience over 15 months,” he said.
“The survey group will do exactly the same monitoring component but not the program.”
Mr Mulder said the first session for Geelong was scheduled for December 14 under the direction of BRACE Education Training Employment.
“The Geelong program is being delivered by Geelong-based facilitators and coaches,” Mr Mulder said.
The trial would focus on high-risk behaviours among new drivers to improve safety.
“It’s a sad fact that young drivers are some of the safest drivers on our roads while on their L plates but are most at risk of crashing in the first six to 12 months of driving on their Ps,” Mr Mulder said.
“We’ll be recruiting 26,400 young drivers in Victoria and 1600 in NSW to participate in the trial.
“We’re calling on the community and asking everyone to encourage young drivers to get involved and help keep them and their mates safe on our roads.”
Mr Mulder said the project was part of a number of initiatives including regional road safety campaign Talk the Toll Down and tougher anti-hoon laws.
“We have seen a drop in the road toll,” he said.
“In July the road toll was 10 more than last year. Today it is 12 less than last year.
“It is early days but we hope to see this trend continue.
“We’ve also called for community input into a new road safety slogan for Victorian number plates.”
Participants can win movie tickets and bowling passes, with a final draw prize of a Toyota Yaris.
Mr Mulder said potential participants could log on to www.mylivetribe.com.au or phone 1800 454 133 for more information.
The Independent is a media partner of the TAC’s Talk the Toll Down campaign.