Bill Tilley has called on the NSW government to bring its road laws into line with Victoria and end confusion for probationary drivers.
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The Benambra MLA said he sympathised with Dani Sanderson, the 18-year-old from Lavington, who this week started a petition for clear and consistent rules for rules P-plate driver to abide by when crossing the border.
Wodonga police have threatened to fine P1 drivers if they drove with more than one passenger under 21, which was allowed in NSW between 5am and 11pm.
Roads and Maritime Services confirmed to The Border Mail on Thursday its position that NSW motorists always abide by its rules.
“Drivers in NSW are required to comply with the licence conditions applied by the state or territory that issued the licence, regardless of the state or territory you are driving in,” a spokesman said.
The question of a national licensing scheme was directed to NSW Centre for Road Safety executive director Bernard Carlton, who said the majority of road rules were the same in each state, with some rules that differed.
“All the states and commonwealth governments continue to work towards making our rules uniform across the country, whilst dealing with emerging safety risks which can differ across the country,” he said.
Mr Tilley said if young drivers could competently pass a driver’s test, they should be allowed to drive at the posted speed limit of 100 or 110km/h on freeways – as allowed in Victoria – and also supported the state’s stricter peer passenger rule.
“NSW needs to come in line with Victoria,” he said.
“Those silly little things really frustrate me.”
But the MP said a national licensing scheme was not necessary if the states worked together, such as during COAG meetings.
“The legislation should simply reflect each other … the two jurisdictions can simply change it if they have the will,” Mr Tilley said. “It’s something that I would want to change if I had the opportunity in a government.”
Comments on The Border Mail Facebook page following Ms Sanderson’s story demonstrated the confusion.
Erin Miller said she “couldn't agree more” with having laws for all drivers.
“Australia needs to make road uniformed across all states, even if that means NSW have to up the age drivers can get their license,” she said. “It's too hard on the drivers and also the P-platers getting fined for showing the wrong state’s P plates.”
Albury MLA Greg Aplin did not return a call for comment.
