Published | 23 July 2026
An innovative Tasmanian approach to helping young people become safer drivers has attracted international backing, with RACT, supported by the Tasmanian Government, securing additional funding to expand a locally designed youth road safety initiative.
Developed through extensive research and co-design with young people, parents, driving supervisors and community organisations across Tasmania, the program combines technology, peer support and practical driver training to help young people build the skills and confidence they need to stay safe on our roads.
The approach has now been recognised internationally, with approximately $230,000 in additional funding awarded through the FIA's Safe Mobility for All and for Life (SM4A4L) Program after Tasmania's work was showcased in Geneva.
The funding is separate to the five-year, $8 million partnership between RACT and the Tasmanian Government and will allow the program to expand technology and community trials with a particular focus on regional and rural communities.
RACT Senior Youth Road Safety Program Lead Nerida Plumpton represented Tasmania in Geneva alongside Department of State Growth Deputy Secretary Transport Cynthia Heydon and RAC WA Senior Manager Community Engagement Ben Kent, sharing how collaboration between government, industry, young Tasmanians and the community is helping tackle one of Tasmania's biggest road safety challenges.
RACT Group CEO Mark Mugnaioni said the international recognition reflected the strength of Tasmania's collaborative approach.
"Keeping young Tasmanians safe on our roads requires more than one solution. It takes research, listening to communities, and bringing together the right partners to create practical programs that make a real difference," Mr Mugnaioni said.
"This program was shaped by evidence and co-designed with Tasmanians to understand the challenges learner drivers and their supervisors face. It brings together technology, peer support and practical driving experiences to better prepare young people for the road."
"The additional international funding allows us to build on the Tasmanian Government's investment and expand this work into more communities, particularly in regional and rural Tasmania, while trialing innovative technology that supports learner drivers and supervisors."
The funding will support a 12-month pilot project from August 2026 to July 2027, delivering a combined approach to support supervisors and their young people as they learn to drive.
Expanded trials of a learner driver and supervisor smartphone app across metropolitan and regional Tasmania
Additional community education sessions through schools, sporting clubs and neighbourhood houses statewide
Subsidised driving lessons with accredited instructors for participants involved in the program.
Mr Mugnaioni said the smartphone app, developed by RAC WA, would be adapted and trialed in Tasmania to ensure it meets the needs of local families.
"We know that supporting driver supervisors with the skills they need to support their young driver results in safer driving outcomes,” Mr Mugnaioni said.
“We're proud to be bringing together innovation from across Australia with Tasmanian research, community feedback and local partnerships to create a program designed specifically for Tasmanian families.
"Being able to showcase Tasmania's work on the international stage, learn from global road safety leaders and bring those ideas home is a real win for our state, and ultimately helps keep more young Tasmanians safe on our roads."