Listen to March 3rd 2010 for background to this.

The Minister of Transport, Steven Joyce, said there will be changes for young drivers to improve road safety. We already know that the government has planned to raise the driving age to 16 but this is just the beginning. The driving age could go up to 17, in the future.

However, raising the driving age is only one way to improve safety. Young drivers need more practice at driving with an adult while they are still on a restricted licence. Although most young people have some lessons with a driving instructor, usually they are taught to drive by their parents or other family members. Parents need to give their sons and daughters a lot of driving experience.

Young drivers need practice at driving in all kinds of conditions such as in heavy traffic, in bad weather, on long distances and at night. They need to plan ahead, to watch what other drivers are doing and to be patient. In many countries, drivers must have 120 hours of practice with an adult before they can get a full licence. In New Zealand, drivers can usually take the practical test for their full driver licence after six months on a restricted licence. Steven Joyce said that the government will probably increase the length of time on a restricted licence and encourage young people to take road safety courses.

We have too many young drivers involved in accidents. It is time to make changes to our driving laws for young people.