Manage P plate driver risks
There are specific conditions which
have been identified as especially risky for P plate drivers. These
are:
- Driving at night, particularly late
on Friday and Saturday nights
- Driving with friends in the car
- Using a mobile phone or other digital
device
- Driving while tired
Reduce your risk of crashing by
dealing with these known risky conditions.
Make plans to manage known risky
driving situations
- Make plans on how to manage night
driving when you first get your P's. Consider not driving at all
and arrange other transport options such as a taxi or a lift
- Limit passengers for your first six
months of P plate driving
- Avoid driving when you'd normally be
asleep
- Recognise the early signs of fatigue
- Practise long supervised drives even on P's
Don't answer your phone
- Learn not to use a mobile phone while
driving (whether hands free or not)
- Agree to leave messages and call
before you drive or afterwards. Learn not to automatically look at
the phone display or answer the phone when it rings
Be a safe passenger
- Remember that even if you are not driving you can still reduce
or eliminate risks
- Choose not to be a passenger in a car when you don't feel safe
with the driver
- Be a helpful passenger - don't make loud noises or encourage
the driver to get distracted