NSW Government Speed Advisor App: Calls for provisional drivers to monitor speed

Hundreds of provisional drivers are seriously injured from speed incidents each year, but are unable to access an app designed to alert drivers to how fast they are driving.

It was the app designed to reduce the state’s road death toll by notifying motorists of their speed — but tens of thousands of young drivers are banned from using the NSW Government’s ‘Speed Advisor’ app, despite making up some of the highest casualty rates behind the wheel.

Upper House MLC Rod Roberts is calling on NSW Roads Minister Natalie Ward to amend laws to allow learner and provisional drivers to use the state government’s speed advisor app in a mixed cradle while they are behind the wheel.

“I was unaware that the app existed, but it has had around 50,000 downloads so far,” Mr Roberts told NewsCorp. “Here is an app designed by the government to allow drivers to be alerted to their speed in real time.

Learner drivers are unable to use the speed advisory app as it would require a mobile phone. Photo Kevin Farmer / The Chronicle

“However, provisional drivers are banned from using the app.”

Mr Roberts called on the NSW Government to allow for young drivers to access the app after

an average of 20 people were killed and 211 people seriously injured each year from 2014-21 in crashes where a driver on a restricted license was speeding.

“Surely if they have a phone in an approved cradle, they should be able to use that app,” he said.

“This was designed by the government with the intention to save lives, if they use their phone for any other purpose, by all means, throw the book at them. But anything we can to increase road safety, we should be doing it.”

NSW Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

MLC Rod Roberts. Picture: NSW. OneNation

The Centre for Road Safety confirms more than 50,000 motorists have downloaded the app, launched in 2014.

The app, available on the app store by searching ‘Speed Advisor’ includes voice and visual warnings on speed limits, school zone announcements and day and night modes.

However, Roads Minister Natalie Ward said young and novice motorists were “particularly vulnerable to distractions and risks on the road as they are still developing their driving skills”.

“This is why the NSW Road Rules prohibit learner and provisional (P1 and P2) drivers from using a mobile phone, handheld or hands-free, while driving and riding,” she said. “Accordingly, these motorists are not permitted to use the Speed Adviser app.

“The NSW Government is committed to reducing fatalities and serious injuries on NSW roads.”

In 2021, NSW recorded the lowest death toll on NSW roads since 1923.