Push Is On For National Licence Standards, Rewards For Responsible P-platers

[FrangaR33]

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The Police Federation of Australia, the nation's police union, is pushing for the Federal Government to consider enforcing national standards for licensing.

The organisation's CEO, Mark Burgess, said that such a system could include standards for Learner and Probationary drivers, creating a system that would see young drivers taught the same rules across the country.

"The problem with all this is I think each government thinks it's got the best system," Mr Burgess told the ABC.

"All we're saying is it really requires in our view, all the governments - state, territory and federal - to sit around the table and come up with a consistent position with all of these issues."

Mr Burgess did not offer any comment on how a standardised national system would deal with the varying road rules in each state.

Police are also pushing for incentives for young drivers to undertake advanced or defensive driver training courses, including early graduation from Probationary status to a full licence.

"By giving them an incentive, by saying for example that if you undertook these sort of training and education programs we might limit the amount of time you are on a provisional licence for example," he said.

Mr Burgess said that the push behind the proposal is to motivate young adults to drive more safely, knowing that there are specific rewards for their 'good behaviour'.

The proposal is understood to have gained government support, with federal and state representatives expected to convene this week to consider the plan.

According to figures from the NSW Traffic Services office, the period between 2007 and 2009 saw 50 fatal accidents in the state that involved Probationary drivers. In 45 cases - 90 percent - the P-plate driver was found to be responsible.

All great ideas but alas its not going to happen, the states will never work together on something like this because that would mean one or more them would have to admit their probationary license scheme is wrong or at the least not the best.

Raise your hand if you think its not going happen. *raises hand*