Skip to content | Change text size
 

Monash research aims to reduce P-plate accidents

11 July 2007

Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) is targeting parents of P-plate drivers in a new campaign designed to reduce death and injury on Australian roads.

Michelle Whelan, Dr Jennie Oxley, Paul May, Senior Sergeant Paul Bellion, and Lisa Trood at the launch of Going Solo -- a booklet to help parents of P-plate drivers.

It is the first time in Australia P-plate driver safety information has been targeted specifically at parents.

Research shows probationary drivers are more involved in crashes than any other driving group and are up to an estimated 33 times more likely to have a crash than learner drivers.

Going Solo -- A resource for parents of P-plate drivers was devised by MUARC Senior Research Fellow, Dr Jennie Oxley and her research team.

It informs parents about P-plate driver crash risks and strategies they can use to promote safe driving.

The booklet, available across Australia, highlights nine key risk factors, including driving with friends, driving at night, using phones or a CD player, and driving when tired or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Parents are being encouraged to sign a Vehicle Access Agreement with their son or daughter.

The formal agreement sets out conditions and restrictions for the first twelve months of the P-plate period, limiting the time a young person can drive and the number of passengers they carry.

In the first three months of gaining a probationary licence, the driver would agree to only drive between 6am and 10pm and not carry passengers aged 16 to 23.

After seven months experience they would be allowed to drive from 6am to midnight and carry a maximum of one young passenger.

Dr Oxley said parents had a major role to play and communication was the key.

"Parents who continue to discuss safe driving with their P-plater could help prevent crashes and potentially even save lives," said Dr Oxley.

The Going Solo booklet has been produced by the Monash Accident Research Centre (MUARC), one of the world's leading injury prevention research centres, with support from ExxonMobil Australia group of companies.

The Going Solo brochure is available free at all Mobil Service Stations or downloaded from the MUARC website.