A NSW government package to reduce the number of supervised hours learner drivers clock up on the roads does nothing to address road deaths, the opposition says.
NSW Premier Kristina Keneally on Sunday announced a new learner driver package that reduces the number of supervised hours learner drivers must accumulate before being allowed to sit for a provisional licence.
Under a $15.6 million package, learner drivers will have to complete 100 supervised driving hours instead of 120.
The proposed change comes amid concerns that 120 supervised hours is hard for the children of low-income and sole parents, and that some parents are fudging logbooks to help their children achieve the hours.
But opposition transport spokesman Andrew Stoner slammed the reforms as "hastily put together" and said they do nothing to make NSW roads safer.
"A 17-year-old driver on red P Plates is about four times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than a driver aged 26 or older, yet the Keneally Labor government isn't doing a thing to make sure young drivers are safer on our roads," Mr Stoner said in a statement.
"All the evidence tells us young drivers are most at risk immediately following licensing for individual driving yet Roads Minister David Borger isn't lifting a finger to change that."
If elected, a coalition government would introduce a skills training course for L-platers, Mr Stoner said.
Optional in its initial stage, the safer drivers course would be completed over one day and learner drivers who undertake it would receive a 20-hour reduction in the number of compulsory learner logbook hours.
"We know that young people are understandably excited about being able to drive on their own for the first time and that this over-confidence can have tragic results," Mr Stoner said.
"We are determined to make sure young drivers understand exactly how limited their driving skills are."
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