Race Driver Supports Safer Journey’s Initiatives

Race Driver Supports Safer Journey’s Initiatives

Leading V8 Supercar driver and road safety advocate Greg Murphy says he is pleased with the direction the Government is taking on road safety in its recently released Safer Journey’s strategy.

Just back from the latest round of the V8 Supercar Championship in Bahrain, Murphy says he’s especially pleased with the emphasis on younger drivers.

“The statistics show the young are our most vulnerable drivers and passengers. Our track record is very poor by international standards, so it’s great to see that someone with the power to do something about it actually is.

“I have been working with groups like MTA and Holden’s Driving Towards A Future programme across the country for the last few years talking about the need for the sort of changes that Stephen Joyce has just announced. I’m confident that they’ll help bring about the sort of changes we need if we’re to turn around our dreadful youth driver safety record.”

Murphy says raising the driving age from 15 to 16 was an obvious place to start.

“Being based here in Australia where the driving age in Victoria is 16 convinced me long ago that our limit was too low. Young people’s decision making ability is not fully developed at 15, and so giving them this extra time to improve this aspect of their driving skills can only be a good move. Ensuring they all get the right training will be even better.”

Likewise he has long maintained that drinking and driving is a ‘no-brainer’ and is delighted to see the firm stance taken in this regard.

“If we want to change behaviours and attitudes we need to set out what’s acceptable and what’s not, real early. I’m sure the decision to lower the blood alcohol levels for under 20’s to zero may not be popular with some young people, but we have to make decisions like this if we’re going to bring around real change.

Acknowledging that putting in place practicable measures to ensure that access for young drivers to powerful or modified cars is restricted may take a lot of work, but it’s something he says is well worth aiming for.

“In the same way young people don’t have the decision making capability to drive well at an early age, nor do most of them have the skills to cope with high power outputs. Yes cars are fun, I know that better than most, but people’s abilities just have to be matched against the vehicles they can drive. I’m well aware that getting something in place to accurately determine this won’t be easy, but taking a serious look at it is the right place to start.”

Like everyone involved” says Murphy, “I am truly hopeful that the changes announced will finally have a real impact on an aspect of life that has for a long time been a real blight on us as New Zealanders.”

ENDS

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