The RAA is urging supervising and learner drivers to do more than the bare minimum number of hours required to obtain a provisional licence amidst alarming new crash data.
Unsupervised P1 drivers are involved in more than six times the number of crashes as learner drivers, data obtained by RAA has revealed.
The Department of Infrastructure and Transport data shows that in the five years to 2021, P1 drivers were involved in 5007 crashes – more than six times that of learner drivers under supervision who recorded 806 crashes.
RAA Senior Traffic Engineer Matthew Vertudaches says that doing more hours as a learner driver will improve driving skills and road experience.
“It’s alarming to see such a drastic increase in the number of crashes once new drivers move to their P1 licence and start driving unsupervised,” he said.
“The significant increase in crashes shows how important the role of a supervising driver is in preparing new drivers for life behind the wheel.
“We’d certainly recommend that learner drivers get as much experience as possible to build a solid foundation of driving skills. That may mean doing more than the minimum 75 hours required – especially for those learners who may lack confidence on the road.”
The data shows that around half of intersection crashes occur at traffic lights and a quarter at Give Way signs, demonstrating the importance for learner drivers to get as much experience as possible in those particular scenarios.
Mr Vertudaches also stresses the critical role of supervising drivers in exposing learners to as many driving situations as possible and reinforcing what is learnt through practice.
“It evolves from keeping them safe while learning skills of vehicle control, road craft and hazard perception to progressively letting them experience a wider range of situations in which to use their skills and then refining them to the point where they become intuitive.
“It’s highly important that learner drivers are exposed to challenging conditions under the guidance of a supervising driver, rather than first encountering them under P1 conditions.
Downloading and reviewing the current version of The Driving Companion and the Drivers Handbook is another useful way to ensure you are familiar with all the current key aspects of driving. Copies are also available from any RAA Shop or Service SA centre.
L and P1 car drivers involved in crashes on SA roads (2017-2021)
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Total | |
| Learners | 157 | 184 | 156 | 154 | 155 | 806 |
| P1 | 1002 | 1038 | 910 | 866 | 1191 | 5007 |
Intersection type (non-intersection crashes excluded, all injury and non-injury crashes)
| By intersection type | Average (2017 – 2021) |
| Learners | |
| Give Way Sign | 23.5% |
| Roundabout | 15.4% |
| Stop Sign | 10.3% |
| Traffic Signals | 50.7% |
| P1 | |
| Give Way Sign | 21.3% |
| Rail Xing – Boom | 0.1% |
| Rail Xing – Traffic Signals | 0.1% |
| Roundabout | 13.2% |
| Stop Sign | 11.6% |
| Traffic Signals | 53.6% |
Source: Department of Infrastructure and Transport
For more information, and to take the RAA Learner quiz, click here.
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