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Inquiry into lowering the probationary driving age to seventeen eSubmission Form < cso@parli ament.vic.gov.au> Thursday, 14 April 2016 1:05 PM LRRCSC New Submission to Inquiry into lowering the probationary driving age in Victoria to seventeen. 570f08bd12bcO-Lowering the legal driving age of drivers in Victoria - Darren Murphy.docx

Inquiry Name: Inquiry into lowering the probationary dri ving age in Victoria to seventeen.

M r Darren Murphy

~1E(c1E ~ ~1E1IJJ 14 APR 2016

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Fi le I : S70f08bd 12bcO-Lowering the lega l dri ving age of dri vers in Victoria - Darren Murphy.docx

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Law Reform, Road and Community Safety Committee Parliament House Spring Street EAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002

Dear Committee,

Darren Murphy

14th April 2016

SUBMISSION IN SUPPORT OF LOWERING THE PROBATIONARY DRIVING AGE IN VICTORIA

TO SEVENTEEN

Reference:

A. Terms of Reference from the Legislative Council on 9 December 2015

I offer the following personal opinion and information in support of the parliamentary inquiry into lowering the legal driving age of drivers in Victoria to seventeen.

My Background and Life Experience

I am retired Army Officer with 21 years' of service and experience. Whilst born in Ballarat I

have lived and worked in Ballarat, Melbourne, Wodonga, Myrtleford, Brisbane, Townsville,

Sydney, Wagga Wagga, Adelaide, Woodside, Darwin and Canberra.

Whilst outside these terms of reference I am strongly of the opinion there should be a

standard national licensing system, espeCially for the youth who live on border towns like

Albury Wodonga.

Following my discharge from the Army in 2001, I have lived and worked in the rural town of

Myrtleford (pop 3,500). In these sixteen years I have become an active volunteer in my local

community: Lions Club, L2P Mentor Driver Program, Visitor Centre Volunteer, local festival

committees, etc. I have also spent seven years fulltime work in Local Government managing

a regional recreational project (Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail) which was developed by

government to create new job opportunities for my region.

Most recently I have worked part time for seven years in a locally owned bottle shop and

have observed the habits and behaviours of Generation Y - our most important generation.

My Assessment of the Current Situation

Many of these inexperienced youth struggle with the pace of life today. Whilst they are

technological savvy and are sponges for information (using social media and smart devices)

they are in the main ignorant in local and world affairs. They find it hard to live up to the

expectations of a past generation who haven't grasped the new 'norm' for a teenager. They

are a 'here and now' generation, very few plans for the future and what happens around

them. But then again how many times did we hear in our own youth 'things were different

in our day?'

Generation Y as I have mentioned are our most important generation and we must do

everything we can to get them started in life as they are the ones that will lead us into the

21't Century. They will work and payoff our debt, and also work and pay taxes to support

our infirmed. Sadly most of this generation will never own a house or have a career unless

they work for themselves, as society today tends to only offer jobs. The consequences of

not getting them connected, working and adding to the capacity to our country will see

migrants filling these gaps and an increasing bitter social divide.

From my life experience I have formed the following impressions and opinions:

Reduced regional employment opportunities. There are reduced employment opportunities

in in rural areas. Myrtleford jobs opportunities were greatly diminished for early school

leavers because of the closure of the tobacco indu stry, aligned businesses and industries.

Casual work and part time work seem to be the only opportunities available for early school

leavers and then you need a car to travel to these work places.

Continuing training and lack of public transport. For adolescents aged 15 and 16 who do not

continue past year 10 at school there are very few opportunities for employment or

continuing their education because of the limited public transport availability to larger

regional towns with TAFE, e.g. Wangaratta and Wodonga. Those students who leave public

schools at early age need licenses and cars. If you wanted to catch a V Line Bus to

Wangaratta there are services Monday to Friday 6.25am and 11.50am and return to

Myrtleford 2.20pm or 9.10pm - not workable for any TAFE Student. It is not possible at all

to commute to Wodonga at all.

Iso lated and disconnected generation. Until early schoolleavers get their drivers licenses,

my experience is they become iso lated and disconnected. Many aimlessly wander around

our town and community. During this 'pause' in their lives many experiment with drugs and

alcohol and fall foul of the local police and local reSidents, some become stereo typed as no

hopers. Experience has shown me there is hope as I have seen those in this category

become connected again once they get their drivers licenses and independence . Many

securing employment in the local area and many finally having an income to purchase a car

and the freedoms this offers. Better still, many have the ability to borrow money from a

bank to buy a new car, which in turn gives them their first level of responsibility.

Binge Drinking Culture. Many of the disconnected youth binge drink, but I would state this

is a societal and a generational problem, as many are only following the exa mple of their

parents - the difference being is their parents generally have fulltime work and own

property. It only when they get licenses to they start to travel and gain life experience do

they begin to mature. Owning and operating a motor vehicle make teenagers more

responsible; they meet members of the opposite sex and begin to plan ahead. I think 18 is

still a good age to be able to drink alcohol.

, ...

Incentivise Volunteering. Governments at all levels would all agree that the fabric of a good

community is one that cares and looks after itself. With the constant pressure on the public

purse it is our service clubs and volunteer groups that support many of those in need.

My suggestion is that:

A Learners permit is available to all at age 16. Learner drivers continue to complete

minimum of 120 hours of driver training.

Probationary Drivers be licenced at 17, however can apply at 16 years and 6 months if

circumstances exist i.e. they are an indentured apprentice, undergoing TAFE or equivalent

training, or have completed 25 days volunteer work at CFA, SE5 or Landcare organisation, or

become members of our reserve forces.

I believe 17 year old probationary driver's should display blue P plates and may only carry

one other person in the car, unless there is an adult (someone over the age 21) present who

is under 0.05 BAC.

Drivers failing to display plates or incorrect plate will lose their license immediately; similarly

if they are caught carrying more than one person, consumed any drug or alcohol, or have

been caught speeding more than 20km over the speed limit.

Probationary Drivers at age 18. Red P Plates no change.

Probationary Driver aged 19- 21. Green P Plates reduced by one year as driving earlier.

Advantages of proposal:

• Graduated licensing system gives learner drivers two years to gain proficiency in

driving prior to attaining legal drinking age.

• Allows students who leave school early an earlier opportunity to continue their

education or seek employment.

• May incentivise younger people to complete volunteer work with an established

committed community volunteers who will most likely mentor and try and retain

them in their organisation.

Personally I think it would be good for all young Australians to complete some type of

service for our Country, be this community service or national service i.e. locally with CFA,

SES or Landcare Group, within the reserve or regular forces.

We need our next generation working and connected and becoming aware of what is

happening in society and also caring for our country and each other.

Darren Murphy