THE mother of a 16-year-old killed in an accident in northern NSW has welcomed new restrictions to be introduced for P-plate drivers in NSW and Queensland in July.
Lismore Catholic Karen Eveleigh, whose son Mitchell was killed along with three others near Byron Bay last October, said she hoped the new laws would help to save lives of young drivers or their passengers.
“If any one of those new rules had been in effect back then, then my son and the other three boys wouldn’t be dead now,” she said.
Under the new rules, young P-plate drivers in Queensland and NSW will face a number of new restrictions from July 1 as the two state governments try to reduce the number of young driver fatalities.
On both sides of the border, young P-platers will be banned from carrying more than one passenger aged between 17 and 21 from 11pm-5am.
They will also face a total ban on using mobile phones, including hands-free kits and an automatic licence suspension if they are caught speeding.
However, exemptions will apply for P1 drivers with work commitments; those who need to carry family members; those engaged in community work like the Rural Fire Service; P1 drivers aged 25 years and over; and in emergency situations.
The Queensland Government also will re-introduce a graduated provisional licence system (a red plate for P1 and green plate for P2) abolished in 1976.
Queensland Transport Minister Paul Lucas said the new system in the state will be phased in over three stages and will be supported by education and training to help learner drivers, their parents and supervisors.
