One passenger per car: New rules for WA P-platers

West Australian P-platers will be restricted to having just one passenger in their cars under a new road safety rule, to be known as Tom’s Law.

The rule, announced on Sunday by Premier Roger Cook, will apply to new drivers for the first six months they hold their licence.

“From December 1, all existing and future red P-plate drivers will be allowed to carry only one passenger in the vehicle at all times,” he said.

“Statistics and recent tragedies on our roads show that novice drivers are at high risk of crashes and being distracted.

“This new change is a practical, sensible and enforceable step that strikes the right balance to protect our young drivers, their families and their friends.”

It follows a spate of young people dying on WA roads, with the rule’s namesake, Tom Saffioti, 15, one of two teenage boys who died in a Seville Grove car crash in 2021 when the vehicle, being driven by a P-plater, crashed into a tree. The car was full of passengers at the time.

Samantha Saffioti, pictured with her son Tom, is calling for P-platers to have passenger restrictions at night.

Three young men also died earlier this month when the car they were passengers in crashed into a tree in Carlisle. The driver, 18, was allegedly drunk and speeding at the time with a car full of friends.

And promising young footballer, Nick Campo, 18, died in July when the car he was a passenger in, being driven by a P-plater and once again full of passengers, rolled and hit another car.

Under Tom’s Law, red P-plate drivers will be restricted to having one passenger, unless the other passengers are immediate family members, or the driving is work-related.

A curfew already in place for P-platers which bans driving between midnight and 5am remains in place.

It comes as WA’s roll toll surpasses 150, making it the deadliest year on the roads in nearly a decade.

Tom Saffioti’s mother, Samantha Saffioti, has long been campaigning for WA to bring its P-plater restrictions in line with other states.

She thanked the state government for taking action, saying it will give young drivers the chance to gain confidence without added distraction.

“In memory of Tom, Mark and all other precious lives lost, this is a step towards preventing passenger related deaths and injuries, and keeping our kids safe,” she said.

Nick Campo’s parents, Daniel and Bianca Campo, have also been campaigning for more safety messaging for young drivers since the death of their son.

“Young kids think they’re bulletproof; they’re not,” Daniel said in July.

“They’re not experienced enough to drive cars with others in the back, talking on their phones, distracted. It’s my job now to try to make a difference, and I – please – implore everyone; it’s got to stop.”

Campo said he and his wife have launched a campaign called “Call out for Nick” and hope for public speaking opportunities, particularly with sporting clubs, to speak directly to young drivers about the impact of not driving safely.

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