Guiding hands on the wheel

It’s recently been our privilege to hear from people across Tasmania about how we could better support young people on road safety. As part of the RACT Youth Road Safety program, which is funded through the state government, we heard from fathers in Burnie, mothers in Launceston, grandparents in Wynyard and mentors in Hobart and Deloraine.

Much of what people told us about their experiences teaching young people to drive is echoed in the global research the project commissioned. One of the standout findings was just how much influence driver supervisors have on their learners.  

“Driving instructors have a Cert IV in driver training, but they also need a PhD in psychology,” said one Hobart dad. This father spoke of the stress and personality factors sometimes involved in the learning-to-drive journey, making it clear just how emotionally demanding coaching a young person to drive can be.

A mum in Hobart disclosed that she’s more nervous now that her child has their P plates.

“They have been driving for a while now and getting a little bit too confident with it.”

Her concerns are legitimate: statistics show that the probation phase of the learning-to-drive journey is when crashes spike.  

Everyone who generously shared their stories with us was very aware of the role they play in teaching skills and supporting their young person to be safe on the road. Most would like more support and guidance.

As we head into summer, many of our newest drivers are on the road more. Some are taking advantage of the holidays to build up their learner hours, and some are exploring the state on their own for the first time. There are small things all of us can do to support them be safer.

Look out for our learner drivers and show them courtesy and patience. Learning to drive is stressful. As an adult in a young person's life, stay involved and ask new P platers about their driving plans: which roads are they planning to travel on? Encourage them to stop for a rest and to avoid travelling between 10pm and 6am; within the first three-to-six months of getting your licence, that’s the most dangerous time to drive.

Vehicle handling is learned quickly but hazard perception develops slowly and can result in young people over-estimating their safety skills. It doesn’t help matters that young people also tend to get tired more quickly when they are in learning mode. Everyone in a vehicle has a role to play on safety and good decisions, and that goes for young drivers and their passengers when travelling together.

 “Other than raising a decent human being, as a parent the two things you have to teach them is how to swim and how to drive safely,” said another Hobart father. That’s the Youth Road Safety Project in a nutshell. Supporting those teaching our young people to drive is key to supporting our young Tasmanians become safer road users and to creating safer roads for all Tasmanians.