International tourists should have to prove driving skills to help cut road toll, MP says

International tourists could have to prove their driving skills before being able to hire a car, under a plan being pushed by Liberal backbencher Sarah Henderson.

bigstockphoto_Australian_Road_Sign_19483611

bigstockphoto_Australian_Road_Sign_19483611 Source: bigstockphoto_Australian_Road_Sign_19483611

Ms Henderson wants a more stringent approach to international driver's licences and has called for a review.

She also suggested consideration of options such as compulsory safety videos for all international tourists hiring cars, and asking car hire companies to impose stricter standards before renting out vehicles.

Ms Henderson's electorate of Corangamite in Victoria includes the Great Ocean Road, which is a popular scenic driving route for visitors.

"At least 20 per cent of all crashes on the Great Ocean Road are now involving or being caused by international drivers," she said, citing VicRoads as the source of the figures.

"On a weekly basis, we are hearing of incidents involving international drivers on the wrong side of the road, stopping in the middle of the road taking photographs of koalas … [and] running through stop signs."

More than 1,000 people died on Australia's roads in 2017, with the summer holiday period marred by several horrific car crashes.

The New South Wales Government is focusing on the possibility that technology will help reduce the carnage on the nation's roads.

"That's going to be the biggest boost to safety we've seen in generations," NSW Roads Minister Melinda Pavey said.

"Emergency braking, lane assist — they're really important initiatives, which I think are going to have a really significant impact on the road toll."


Share
2 min read
Published 2 January 2018 9:48am
Updated 2 January 2018 3:57pm


Share this with family and friends