The parents of teenage drivers whose lives were cut short by crashes are begging for changes to P-plate laws.
More than a decade after his son Bryce was killed in an accident, road safety campaigner Rob Wells says not enough has been done to protect young drivers.
Mr Wells wants a law that prevents P-plate drivers from carrying more than one passenger from 11pm to 5am to be rolled out around Australia.
The parents of teenage drivers whose lives were cut short by crashes are begging for changes to P-plate laws to reduce accidents (pictured)
More than a decade after his son Bryce was killed in an accident, road safety campaigner Rob Wells says not enough has been done to protect young drivers (pictured is a p-plate crash)
The family of 17-year-old Phillip Vassallo, who was killed in 2014, are more focused on changing the behaviour of young drivers, A Current Affair reported.
Phillip’s mother says if their foundation – named Blue Datto after her son’s beloved ute – can save only one life it will be worth it.
‘I go to the cemetery and I just think, I shouldn’t be here,’ Ms Vassallo said.
Mr Wells believes young drivers should have more experience before being allowed to carry others.
The family of 17-year-old Phillip Vassallo (pictured), who was killed in 2014, are more focused on changing the behaviour of young drivers
‘They can’t vote, they can’t legally drink, they can’t go to war but they can be in charge of a tonne of metal with four or five of their friends in, without the experience that they need,’ he said.
‘Let them learn to drive and handle that motor vehicle competently in that first twelve months and then let them take passengers.’
Phillip’s sister Lauren Northen does not think a blanket ban on P-plate passengers would work, especially in rural and regional areas.
She believes education is the answer, and the Blue Datto Foundation conducts workshops at schools as a result.
Phillip’s sister Lauren Northen (pictured, second left) does not think a blanket ban on p-plate passengers would work, especially in rural and regional areas
P-plate drivers make up only 15 per cent of drivers but more than a third of annual road deaths.
Male P-plate drivers are more likely to drive recklessly with a female passenger in the car, a study shows.
Having any passengers their own age increases the chance of them breaking road rules by a factor of six.
NSW Roads Minister Melinda Pavey is cautious about changing the passenger rules, saying young drivers need to learn to drive with passengers.
She also says restrictive passenger rules could lead to more cars on the road.
Phillip’s (pictured) mother says if their foundation – named Blue Datto after her son’s beloved ute – can save only one life it will be worth it