State Government to introduce proposed motorcycle graduated licensing scheme reforms
Long-awaited reforms to motorcycle licensing are a step closer as the State Government proposes new laws for our most vulnerable road users.
SA News
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The minimum age for a motorbike learner’s permit will increase up to two years and riders will face extensive restrictions in a State Government plan to reform motorcycle licensing.
Road Safety Minister Vincent Tarzia will introduce proposed laws aiming to protect riders and curb the spiralling number of motorcycle deaths in South Australia to Parliament on Thursday.
It comes as new SA Police research shows inexperienced riders, aged 16 to 19, admitted being easily influenced by peers and engaging in more frequent risky behaviour beyond their ability.
The Government’s proposed changes to the motorcycle graduated licensing scheme include:
RAISING the minimum age for a learner’s permit from 16 to 18 (16 if living in regional SA and travelling for education, work or sport, and 17 if holding a provisional car licence).
BANNING passengers, vehicle towing and riding between midnight and 5am unless exempt, regardless of holding any other licence, while on a learner’s permit.
INCREASING the minimum age for an R-date licence – the equivalent of a provisional licence – from 17 to 19 while ensuring a learner’s permit is held for at least 12 months.
PROHIBITING alcohol, irrespective of holding any other licence, while on an R-date licence.
RESTRICTING riders who tested on automatic transmission motorcycles to those bikes only.
An increase to the minimum R-date licence period – from one to two years – means riders will be eligible for an unrestricted R licence when they are 21, compared with 18 currently.
There have been 17 motorcyclist deaths – 15 riders and two passengers – so far in 2020, compared with 17 lives lost during 2019 and 10 fatalities in 2018.
Mr Tarzia told The Advertiser motorcyclists were over-represented in the number of deaths and serious injuries on the state’s roads.
“It is tragic to see riders, whether they are young or experienced, lose their lives in road crashes. These incidents have horrific impacts on all road users,” he said.
“This reform is also about protecting families from that devastating knock on the front door that SA Police officers are too often forced to make after a fatal crash.”
The 24 motorcyclists killed in 2017, when Adelaide University’s Centre for Automotive Safety Research undertook a review into licensing reform, was the highest in more than two decades.
It has been almost three years since a report – commissioned by the former Labor government – was published in January 2018 with a series of recommendations for inexperienced riders.
The Motorcycle Reference Group – consisting of police, doctors, ministers, government officials, road safety campaigners and industry groups – called for immediate changes.
Labor, which lost the March 2018 state election, introduced a Bill to Parliament in May 2019 having accused the Liberal Government of failing to act on saving lives.
But Mr Tarzia said the State Government had conducted extensive consultation and “not rushed our response” to ensure it got the reform right.
He said organisations involved in the Motorcycle Reference Group were invited to participate in the process but not all provided a response.
“We need to stop carnage on our roads and protect motorcyclists. To do that we will deliver this carefully considered reform,” Mr Tarzia said.
Riders accounted for 15 per cent of lives lost and 19 per cent of serious injuries across SA between 2015 and 2019 despite motorcycles comprising just 4 per cent of registered vehicles.
There was a 12.5 per cent average yearly increase in young rider serious casualties during the same period, compared with a 7.7 per cent decrease in drivers from the same 16-19 age group.
SA Police attitudinal research provided to The Advertiser reveals inexperienced riders riding sports, naked and tail bikes were often influenced by peers and had risk tendencies.
The research found there were high numbers of 16 to 19 year olds who crashed into fixed objects or were involved in rollovers.
It found 20 to 29 year olds were fearless riders who were heavily driven by adrenaline and most prone to risky behaviour including racing in remote areas or speeding through bends.
A motorcycle safety campaign “There’s a lot riding on it” – focusing on riders and specifically men – has returned to the market after a successful launch last year.
Surveys conducted with 171 motorcyclists before and after the campaign between November 2019 and February 2020 found:
93 PER CENT took away the intended message.
20 PER CENT more said they avoided “thrillseeking” riding.
17 PER CENT more said they avoid riding above the speed limit.
Superintendent Christine Baulderstone, officer in charge of Communication and Engagement Branch, said motorcyclists were among the state’s most vulnerable road users.
“It’s clear there is a need to continue educating riders about the risks of motorcycle riding and to give them pause to consider the impact of the decisions they make on the bike,” she said.
