- Bill to enforce passenger restrictions for existing red P-plate drivers passes
- Legislation will support new regulations that apply Tom's Law to newest drivers
- Campaign now begins to inform and educate novice drivers of the change
- $57.3 million spent on new road safety initiatives since the Road Safety Roundtable
The Cook Government's Bill to apply passenger restrictions for existing red P-plate drivers has passed State Parliament, with the new rules to apply for all drivers in their first six months of having their licence from December 1.
The passage of the legislation comes just seven days after it was introduced into Parliament by Road Safety Minister David Michael and only 16 days since the new rule was announced to reduce distractions for novice drivers last month.
Under the new law and regulations, both new and existing red P-plate drivers will be limited to carrying only one passenger in their vehicles at all times.
The State Government is contacting all existing red P-plate drivers to inform them of the new rules and will also soon launch an education and information campaign to raise awareness of the restrictions across the broader community.
Young WA drivers aged 17 to 19 years old have the highest Killed or Seriously Injured rate at 107 per 100,000 population compared to other age groups.
Statistics and recent tragedies on our roads have also shown that novice drivers are at higher risk of crashing when they are distracted.
The new one-person passenger restriction aims to alleviate this problem and brings Western Australia into line with other jurisdictions. A complete curfew on red P-plate driving between midnight and 5am will continue to apply.
Exemptions from the passenger restrictions rule will apply if:
- the additional passenger(s) is an experienced driver who has held an ordinary C-class licence for at least four years; or
- other passengers are immediate family members; or
- if additional passengers are in the vehicle as a necessary requirement of the driver's employment. For this to apply, a letter from the driver's employer must be carried by the red P-plate driver with presentation on request.
The new rules, referred to as Tom's Law, follow the tragic deaths of young people on WA roads, including passengers Tom Saffioti and Nick Campo who died in separate crashes in 2021 and July this year respectively.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"Every death on our roads is a tragedy, and we know our least experienced drivers are particularly at risk when they get behind the wheel.
"I am pleased that we have been able to introduce this important change for red P-plate drivers so quickly, in time for the busy summer season, and I thank all members for dealing with it promptly.
"This legislation will reduce distractions for novice drivers in those crucial six months after they attain their licences.
"My Government is committed to reducingdeath and serious injury on WA roads, and this is another example of how we have listened to the community and road safety experts and responded."
As stated by Road Safety Minister David Michael:
"Together with the existing midnight to 5am curfew, the new rules mean WA will have some of the strictest rules for red P-plate drivers in Australia.
"It joins a $57.3 million suite of new road safety initiatives the Government has announced since the Road Safety Roundtable, particularly targeting young drivers and our regional areas where road deaths this year have been above average.
"I look forward to launching our public education campaign on the new Tom's Law soon."
