Have your say on the motor cyclist graduated licensing system

Have your say on the motor cyclist graduated licensing system

Motor cyclists in our region have until Friday 16th February to provide feedback to the State Government on a series of recommendations to reform the motorcycle licensing system in South Australia.

2017 was a shocking year for the families of 24 motor cyclists in South Australia. Three times as many as the previous year and the highest number since 1993. 25% of those killed were between the ages of 19 to 24.

The Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR) has prepared a report outlining recommendations aimed at enhancing the motorcycle licencing system and improving the safety of novice riders.

Their recommendations include:

  • Raising the minimum age to gain a motorcycle learner permit from 16 to 18.
  • Introducing a minimum tenure of six months to hold a motorcycle learner permit.
  • Prohibiting riders on learner permits and R-Date licences from carrying pillion passengers, riding between midnight and 5am, riding with any concentration of alcohol or prescribed drugs, towing a trailer, using a mobile phone (whether hand-held or hands-free).
  • A minimum tenure of three years for R-Date riders.
  • A lower demerit point threshold for R-Date riders.
  • Restricting riding to an automatic motorcycle if tested on one.
  • Requiring learner riders to wear high visibility clothing.
  • Requiring training and licensing for people wishing to ride a moped.

 Introducing an on-road component to the motorcycle licence testing process.

 Including a motorcycle specific Hazard Perception Test to the motorcycle licence testing process.

Road Safety Minister, Chris Picton said CASR’s Report will be considered closely, and put out for public consultation and additional work will be undertaken on what changes could be made to the training requirements of new motorcyclists.

Motorcycle riders are vulnerable road-users and all too often we see rider error or reckless riding to blame for serious or fatal crashes. That is why I want to make sure we give new motorcyclists the best training and education possible, when they learn to ride, said Minister Picton.

The report is available at the Your Say website, www.yoursay.sa.gov.au until that website closes on Friday, 16 February 2018. Feedback from road safety stakeholders, motorcycling organisations and any other interested people will be considered before any decisions are made. Feedback can also be sent directly to DPTI via DPTI.roadsafety@sa.gov.au

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University of Adelaide's Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR) independent review of the Graduated Licensing System

Contact: Mr. Rob Forgan, Regional Community Road Safety Officer. Mobile: 0408 673 113

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