Arguments advanced by opponents and proponents of passenger and night driving restrictions, Australian print media, June to September 2004
| Area of debate | Arguments advanced by OPPONENTS of restrictions | Arguments advanced by PROPONENTS of restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Research | • There is no evidence that restrictions work | • There is good evidence that restrictions save lives • Widely adopted overseas with resulting reductions in crashes |
| Young driver crashes | • There are bad drivers of all ages • Not all young drivers are reckless | • Young drivers overrepresented in crashes compared to other age groups • Risks apply to all young drivers because of inexperience |
| Young drivers rights and freedoms | • Increases danger to young people • Social equity issue, restricts freedom • Will interfere with work and study • Young drivers have family responsibilities | • Danger is greater when driving at night and with passengers • Choice is between small inconvenience and saving lives • There would be exemptions for work and study • Exemptions for dependents including children |
| Reducing crashes | • Driver training a better solution • Intelligent speed adaptation effective • Ban young drivers from driving high performance vehicles | • Little evidence for driver training effectiveness • Possible but not practical in the short term • No evidence that high performance vehicles increase crash risk |
| Licensing system | • Our licensing system is already good • We have a different driving culture to other countries | • Our licensing system could be more effective • The restrictions have worked in NZ, a similar country to ours |
| Logistics | • Evidence from overseas suggests logistical problems • Young drivers will remove their P-plates • Enforcement difficult, especially in rural areas | • Most will obey the law—a few people will break the law but this is not a reason to delay introducing it • Enforcement will be by parents and police |