Special Licences For New Drivers

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30998, 2 March 1966, Page 1

Special Licences For New Drivers

New Zealand Press Association

WELLINGTON, March 1.

Regulations providing for "probationer" licences for all new drivers will be introduced in New Zealand shortly, according to the Minister of 1 ransport. Mr McAlpine.

The regulations will provide that any new drivers —irrespective of age—will go on probation for a period before they get a full driving licence.

Drivers who are aged 15 will go on probation for three years and other drivers for two years. Probation entails, among other things, displaying “L” plates on vehicles.

There will be special penalties for probationer drivers

convicted of certain accidentpromoting offences, and any new drivers disqualified on one of the offences could have his licence taken away.

On application for a new licence after disqualification a new driver will be put on probation again. Referring to the drop in road deaths over the first two months of this year, the Minister said this afternoon that the Government was not satisfied with the drop. “It intends taking every practicable step to achieve still further reductions,” he said. IMPROVING SAFETY

Mr McAlpine added that the Parliamentary Select Committee on Road Safety—which recently met to con-

sider methods of improving road safety—would put forward a number of worthwhile proposals when it reported to Parliament later this year. Thirty-five persons were killed in January this year and 30 in February—making a two-month total of 65. There were 97 road deaths in the same period last year

No deaths for March have so far been reported. At the same time last March 4 had died.

"The 1965 record toll of lives has probably shocked the public out of some of its apathy.” said the Minister, “and 1 also feel that plaincar traffic patrols introduced last year have made their presence felt." Mr McAlpine added: “While there can be some cause for satisfaction at the reduction in the first two months of this year, 65 lives lost is still too great a price to pay for the use of our roads.”