NEW LAWS TO KEEP YOUNG DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SAFE

New laws were introduced into State Parliament to help reduce the number of young people killed on Queensland roads.

“Young people under the age of 21 are among those most likely to be killed or injured in a car accident,” Police Minister Judy Spence said.

From July 1 new laws will prevent provisional licence holders under 25 and provisional probationary and restricted licence holders from carrying more than one passenger under 21 years in a car between 11 PM and 5 AM.

“To allow police to enforce these laws the Police and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2007 will amend the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 for which Transport Minister Paul Lucas is responsible,” Ms Spence said.

Mr Lucas said the new laws will limit the number of young people in each vehicle therefore reducing the chance of multiple deaths or injuries in an accident.

“The changes will allow police officers to question passengers about their date of birth and require passengers to show proof of their age,” Ms Spence said.

“The act currently does not allow police officers to ask the age of passengers in cars driven by young drivers.

“Police officers must be allowed to investigate if provisional licence drivers are breaking the law by carrying more than one passenger less than 21 years of age after July 1,” Ms Spence said.

The onus will be on the driver to do the right thing and carry only one passenger under the age of 21 years when driving after 11PM,” Ms Spence said.

“The government sees the ability of police to control the number of young people in cars as a valuable tool in protecting the lives of young people in Queensland,” Ms Spence and Mr Lucas said.

Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287

Robert Hoge 3237 1942, 0419 757 868