Tyrell Edwards’ tragic crash leads to call for tougher NSW P-plate driver’s licence laws

Major changes to drivers licences could be on the cards in Australia after a horror crash that killed five teens

  • NSW opposition says it will work with government to tighten P-plate diver laws 
  • Move follows tragic crash of 18-year-old Tyrell Edwards where five teens died
  • P-plate driver was twice suspended for speeding but advanced to higher licence
  • Calls are increasing to stop P-platers who speed for gaining higher licences

Calls are increasing to tighten laws that allowed the P-plate driver involved in a fatal crash to keep progressing towards gaining a full NSW licence despite being suspended twice for speeding.

Tyrell Edwards, 18, faces five charges of dangerous driving after his five passengers, who were all aged between 14 and 16, were killed in Tuesday night’s high-speed crash in the south-west Sydney suburb of Buxton.

It was revealed during Mr Edwards’ bail hearing that he twice copped a three-month suspension for speeding on his P1 licence but that didn’t stop him progressing to get the less restrictive P2 licence under the state’s Graduated Licensing Scheme.

The shattered P2 licence plate found at the scene of the tragic crash in Sydney’s south-west that claimed the lives of five teenagers

P1 licence holders automatically get a three-month suspension for exceeding a speed limit.

However, after 12 months on the road, excluding time suspended, they graduate to the P2 licence despite how ever many suspensions they have racked up. 

The NSW state opposition says it will work with the government to toughen up the P-plate laws to stop this happening. 

‘Labor is calling for a review of the existing restrictions currently placed on P-plate licences, in particular with respect to repeat offenders,’ Labor’s roads spokesman John Graham told The Australian.

‘We’re prepared to work with the government to bring about the changes necessary to improve driver behaviour and safety.’

It was revealed in a bail hearing that Tyrell Edwards, who lost control of the car that tragically crashed in Buxton, had twice been suspended for speeding but still advanced to a higher P-plate licence

It was revealed in a bail hearing that Tyrell Edwards, who lost control of the car that tragically crashed in Buxton, had twice been suspended for speeding but still advanced to a higher P-plate licence

John Van De Putte, whose 14-year-old daughter Lily died in the Buxton crash, called for tougher P-plate laws on Friday.

‘Laws for P-platers need to be more stringent,’ Mr Van De Putte said. 

‘P-platers shouldn’t have passengers in the car, no mobile phones on, mobile phones have got to be in the back of the boot and you even get your licence a bit later.

‘They’re just not mature enough. You wouldn’t let a 17-year-old on a building site by themselves; driving should be the same.’

NSW Roads Minister Natalie Ward said the government would wait to see the coroner’s report on the Buxton crash before committing to any action.

Family members and friends gather to mourn the five young lives lost in the high-speed crash

Family members and friends gather to mourn the five young lives lost in the high-speed crash

‘The death of anyone in a road crash is a tragedy, but the deaths of young people are ­particularly heartbreaking,’ she said.

‘The circumstances surrounding this event are still under investigation and I do not want to pre-empt the findings of the coroner’s report, but we will of course be looking very closely at those findings once they are released.’

Talkback radio host Ben Fordham raised suggestions made by experts to reduce the teen carnage on the roads in Facebook post on Monday.

After noting around 200 young lives are lost on the roads every year in crashes like the one in Buxton, Fordham raised safety expert Dr George Rechnitzer’s suggestion that Australian cars be fitted with ‘speed locks’.

This technology, which is used in Europe, prevents a driver accelerating over the speed limit.

In NSW P-plates come in two stages with P1 licences having a lower speed limit and tougher rules around suspension

In NSW P-plates come in two stages with P1 licences having a lower speed limit and tougher rules around suspension

Fordham also cited Professor Ann Williamson’s idea that young males not get a driving licence until they are 21.

Neither of those suggestions received a very favourable reception in comments.

However, there was widespread support for tougher driving laws and better driving training. 

What’s the difference between a NSW P1 and P2 licence?

Under the NSW Graduated Licensing Scheme, P-plate drivers progress from a P1 to a P2 licence. 

Beginner drivers must use the P1 for one year, not including suspensions, until they graduate to the P2 licence, which they hold for two years.

P1 drivers must not drive faster than 90 km/h, while P2 drivers can drive up to 100 km/h.

P1 drivers caught speeding automatically exceed their demerit point limit and lose their licence for at least three months.

P2 drivers lose their licence for at least three months if they are penalised twice for speeding.

 

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