Petition against P-plate changes goes online
Backlash to the South Australian Government’s proposed restrictions on P-platers has exploded on social media.
More than 20,000 people have supported a Facebook page in protest of the proposed measures, while an online petition is also gaining traction.
The Government has proposed banning P1 licence holders from driving between midnight and 5am and it has left young drivers fuming.
Three young drivers have strapped themselves in for a fight by helping start up an online petition calling for the government to scrap the changes.
“I believe that a lot of kids will be taking down their P-plates and acting like they’re full licenced drivers to not be pulled over and avoid curfew and run that risk,” said Mikayla Hardwick, one of the teenagers who started the petition.
What do you think of the proposal? Share your thoughts on Facebook.
On Wednesday evening the online petition reached 5000 signatures and a Facebook page demanding the changes be scrapped topped 20,000 likes.
But Road Safety Minister Michael O’Brien is sticking by the proposals saying the restrictions had had positive results interstate.
“The measures that we are putting in place will reduce by thirty, the number of fatalities and very, very serious injuries,” he said.
Exemptions can be sought for employment and training reasons where the P-plater would need a letter from their boss or coach.
Police patrols would pull over young drivers and ask to see their letter.
“We always have a discretion on who we would pull over and check - it would be something we’d look at how we would operationalise it,” Assistant Police Commissioner Linda Williams said.
