A policy to prevent inexperienced drivers from driving between 11pm and 5am must be implemented.
To the Editor,
In June 2000, my brother was involved in a tragic car accident.
While driving home from speech night, he was hit by a careless motorist, and his car crashed into a nearby tree. My brother escaped alive but will be forever confined to a wheelchair. The passengers of the car, however, were not so lucky. Their alcohol-induced euphoria and ignorant actions resulted in their wasteful deaths.
The detrimental harm caused by irresponsible young drivers must be stopped. The proposed curfew to ban first year probationary drivers from driving between 11pm and 5 am must be implemented to decrease the deaths of young Victorian drivers. Young drivers are more susceptible to driving accidents at night. Statistics presented by the TAC show that 24% of drivers killed in 2003 were between the ages of 18-25, an age group that represents merely 14% of Victorian licence holders. 79% of these accidents were single vehicle accidents, while 56% of these deaths occurred at night, from 8pm-6am, hours where the number of vehicles on roads is minimal. It is clearly evident from these figures that it is hazardous for young drivers to be driving during late hours, as seen in ‘muck up day’ where alcohol and foolish decisions have resulted in the tragic death of a young man.
Isn’t this what we should be stopping? One must also recognize that the majority of these accidents are not mere misfortunes, but the imminent outcomes of reckless risk-taking behaviors. While realizing certain risks of their actions, over-confidence and drunkenness often compel young drivers to neglect this sense of danger. This leads to aggressive driving behaviors and displays of terrifying speeding in high-performance vehicles. Senior Sergeant Burbige correctly states, Young drivers, particularly young male drivers, seem to think that they are invincible in these kinds of cars.” This is all too clear in the film, where the idea of speed and making sharp turns dominates the minds of Ryan and his friends. News of young drivers suffering fatal crashes in their ‘powerful weapons’ at night is heard of all too often.
Can we allow these deplorable tragedies to continue? I should think not. Furthermore, a recent study by the Australian Drug Foundation has exposed alarming levels of binge drinking among teenagers, which can be related to driving accidents. These shocking findings are mirrored in drink driving in young drivers. From 2000-2001, 2247 P-plate drivers were caught with a blood alcohol reading. The abominable drug, alcohol, has detrimental effects on the mental state of a person, impairing vision and rational thinking. Being intoxicated with such a substance surely impairs adolescents’ ability to judge the risks and consequences of their actions.
As stated by Ryan’s friend, after drinking alcohol and knowing the risks involved, he would still drive. We must enforce a curfew to instill harsh consequences in the minds of the drivers, compelling them to seriously consider their self-destructive behaviors. Some may argue that the curfew, like drink driving campaigns, will not resolve the problem. Let’s use common sense. The curfew can reduce suffering and the number of deaths on our roads.
This will undoubtedly save the lives of countless young Victorians. Opposition to the curfew demonstrates an obvious lack of concern for the personal safety of young drivers. The harsh consequences which may result from breaking the curfew will instill fear in the minds of adolescents. They may escape an accident with their skillful driving abilities,” but they may face a $2000 fine or even jail. Faced with such consequences, wouldn’t young drivers put more serious thought into their actions?
The current statistics of probationary driver deaths on Victorian roads are appalling. They are destroying potential young Victorians while inflicting lamentable harm upon their families and communities. The proposed curfew to prohibit probationary drivers from driving at night, along with its severe consequences, must be implemented to put an end to these atrocities.
Yours faithfully,
Roger Tao
Concerned Probationary Driver
