Novice Drivers
The Northern Territory Government is committed to improving safety for young drivers and driver behaviour on our roads. As part of the 2008 election commitments a new package of road safety initiatives were announced including the introduction of a new driver training and education program.
Why do we need a new program?
Globally, research has found that young and inexperienced drivers have far higher rates of road crashes, injuries and fatalities than older drivers, and the Territory is no exception.
The 2006 Road Safety Taskforce Report tragically noted that 17 to 20 year old drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a serious crash than drivers aged 21 years and over. They are also over 11 times more likely to be killed in a crash than drivers aged 40 to 44 years.
The Report identified factors thought to directly contribute to the increased crash risk for young drivers to include:
inexperience
- cognitive and perceptual skills not sufficiently developed for managing all driving situations
- lack of ability to perceive and respond to risks and hazards
- over-confidence
- limited experience driving under more hazardous conditions (e.g. driving at night and with passenger distractions), and
- risky driving behaviour (e.g. speeding, close following distance, impaired by fatigue or alcohol).
It is important to note that not just young drivers are at risk. Inexperienced learner drivers, regardless of their age, are most at risk during their first year of unsupervised driving.
How is the new program progressing?
The new comprehensive driver education and training program will provide new drivers throughout the Territory the opportunity to develop the appropriate knowledge and skills to drive safely.
As a first step towards developing the new program, an independent review is being conducted of the overall driver training environment, and the current Northern Territory Government subsidised Driver Training and Licensing program (DTAL).
A steering group, consisting of members from the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, The George Institute for International Health, NT Police, Rider Awareness NT, Australian Driver Training Association, Australian Automobile Association of the NT, Australian Driver Trainers Association NSW, Local Government Association of the NT, St John Ambulance and TIO, has been established to guide the development of the new program.
As the development of the new program progresses, further information will be made available on this website.
For other enquiries contact Road Safety Policy on 1800 720 144 during business hours.
IGNITION - Novice Driver DVD
The Novice Driver DVD aims to educate young and inexperienced drivers about the dangers they face on our roads. The DVD includes the topics of drink and drug drive, speed, inexperience, driver distraction, fatigue and the importance of wearing seatbelts. It also includes a section on the consequences of road trauma.
The DVD will be used by teachers in high schools undertaking Driver Training and Licensing (DTAL), Registered Driver Trainers and Registered Training Organisations delivering the Drink Drive Education course.
The audience, through the driver trainers, includes young and novice drivers who are:
- currently learning to drive and are either preparing to obtain their Learner licence or are currently on their learner period; and
- driving on a provisional licence.
The Department has utilised TIO footage as well as footage of interviews with Police, Fire and Emergency Officers, Ambulance Officers and Accident and Emergency staff to develop the Novice Driver DVD - Ignition.
The DVD contains a warning at its commencement that the crash scene may cause distress to some people.
For more information or to obtain a copy of the DVD please contact Road Safety.