NSW Road fatality comparative statistics.

NSW Road fatality comparative statistics

For the period 01 January to 29 November 2015, 2016 and the average for the same period in 2013, 2014 and 2015
Road user class
2016 2015 +/- % change 3-year average
Driver 176 142 34 24% 143.7
Motorcyclist 62 61 1 2% 60.3
Passenger 48 57 -9 -16% 45.3
Pedal cyclist 4 6 -2 -33% 10.3
Pedestrian 66 56 10 18% 44.7
Motorcyclist & pedal cyclist includes passenger
Gender
2016 2015 +/- % change 3-year average
Male 269 222 47 21% 213.0
Female 87 100 -13 -13% 91.3
Excludes unknown gender
Age group
2016 2015 +/- % change 3-year average
0-16 16 19 -3 -16% 13.7
17-25 70 50 20 40% 58.0
26-39 66 55 11 20% 56.0
40-59 100 92 8 9% 82.0
60-79 71 71 0 0% 64.3
80+ 32 35 -3 -9% 30.0
Excludes unknown age
Urbanisation
2016 2015 +/- % change 3-year average
Metropolitan 119 112 7 6% 100.0
Country 237 210 27 13% 204.3

30/11/201613/01/2022

NSW Mobile phone road rules 2016

Learner and provisional P1 (red Ps) drivers and motorcyclists

Learners and provisional P1 licence holders are not permitted to use a mobile phone at all while driving or riding.
This includes when waiting at traffic lights or stuck in traffic. You must be parked out of the line of traffic to use your phone in any way.

These laws encourage learner and P1 drivers and riders to concentrate on developing their vehicle control and hazard-perception skills.
Mobile phone use can distract novice drivers and riders from the driving task.

From 22 January 2016, learner and P1 drivers and riders penalised for illegally using a mobile phone (four demerit points) will exceed their demerit point threshold and face a three-month licence suspension.

Changes to help keep L and P plate drivers safer

From 1 December 2016, P2 licence holders will no longer be permitted to use a mobile phone at all while driving or riding. P2 licence holders will have the same restrictions as learner and P1 licence holders.

1. Can I hold and use my phone when waiting at traffic lights, or stuck in traffic?
No. It is illegal to hold and use your phone at any time while driving or riding. If you want to hold and use your phone your vehicle must be parked out of the line of traffic.

2. Can I use my mobile phone for calls if it is on loudspeaker and in my lap?
No. It is illegal to have your mobile phone touching any part of your body, other than to pass it to a passenger.

3. Can I have my mobile phone in my pocket if I’m using Bluetooth to make or receive a call?
Yes, if you have a full unrestricted licence or a provisional P2 licence (green Ps).
You can use a mobile phone for calls if it does not require you to touch the phone in any way (e.g. via Bluetooth).
The rules allow your mobile phone to be in a pocket of your clothing.

No, if you have a learner or provisional P1 licence (red Ps), you are not permitted to use a mobile phone at all while driving.

4. Can I listen to music on my phone if it is in a cradle?
Yes, if you have a full unrestricted licence or a provisional P2 licence (green Ps). You can use the audio playing function of a mobile phone as long as the phone is secured in a mounting fixed to the vehicle and doesn’t obscure your view of the road, or the phone can be operated without you touching any part of it, such as via Bluetooth.

No, if you have a learner or provisional P1 licence (red Ps), you are not permitted to use a mobile phone at all while driving.

5. Can I dial a number if my mobile phone is in a cradle?
Yes, if you have a full unrestricted licence or a provisional P2 licence (green Ps). You can use a mobile phone for calls if it is secured in a mounting fixed to the vehicle. Using a mobile phone legally can still be distracting. Consider if the call is urgent and the demands of the traffic before using your mobile.

No, if you have a learner or provisional P1 licence (red Ps), you are not permitted to use a mobile phone at all while driving.

From 1 December 2016, P2 licence holders will no longer be permitted to use a mobile phone at all while driving or riding. P2 licence holders will have the same restrictions as Learner and P1 licence holders.

6. Can I use the GPS function on my mobile phone?
Yes, if you have a full unrestricted licence or a provisional P2 licence (green Ps). You can use a mobile phone as a driver’s aid, such as GPS, as long as it is secured in a mounting fixed to the vehicle and doesn’t obscure your view of the road. You cannot hold your phone to use the GPS function.

No, if you have a learner or provisional P1 licence (red Ps), you are not permitted to use a mobile phone at all while driving.

7. Can I use a GPS device that is not a phone if I am a learner or provisional P1 licence holder?
Yes. A GPS device that is not a mobile phone is permitted for all drivers, as long as the device is secured in a mounting fixed to the vehicle and does not obscure the driver’s view of the road. The device must not be placed in a location that will increase the likelihood of injury in a crash.

8. Can I send a text message if my mobile phone is secured in a cradle?
No. You cannot text at all while driving, whether or not your phone is secured in a mounting fixed to the vehicle.

9. What kind of cradle can I use for my mobile phone?
Your mobile phone must be in a mounting that is commercially designed and manufactured for that purpose.

10. Where can I attach a cradle to my vehicle?
The mounting must be fixed to the vehicle in the manner intended by the manufacturer. It must not obscure your view of the road (in front and to the sides), and must not be placed in a location that will increase the likelihood of injury to you or a passenger in a crash.

30/11/201613/01/2022

NSW Practical driving experience – Learner Driver Log Book

Research indicates that learner drivers who increase their supervised on-road experience can reduce their crash risk by 30 per cent, in the first two years of solo driving. Learner drivers under supervision have a very low involvement in crashes. It is only when they begin to drive solo that their involvement in crashes increases.

Your learner driver log book allows you and your supervising driver(s) to record your driving experience. Take care of your log book. If you need a replacement log book, you will need to attend a registry or service centre and pay a replacement fee.

You must log at least 120 hours of supervised driving, including a minimum of 20 hours of night driving, before you can attempt the driving test. Night driving hours are between sunset and sunrise.

Driving lessons with an instructor – 3 for 1

For every one hour structured driving lesson you complete with a licensed Driving Instructor, you can record three hours driving experience in your Log Book. A maximum of 10 hours of lessons will be accepted and recorded as 30 hours driving experience.

This doesn’t mean that driving lessons with an instructor are compulsory, or that you should stop having lessons once you reach the 10 hour limit, if you feel you’d benefit from more lessons.

Driving lessons at night (between sunset and sunrise) count for only one hour of night driving. The other two hours are added to your day driving hours.

Log it – Be sure to record these sessions in your Structured Lesson Record Keeper log book insert.

Exemptions
You do not have to complete a Learner Driver Log Book if you:

Are over 25 years old

Previously held a NSW or interstate driver licence, other than a learner licence

Previously held an overseas licence, other than a learner licence

Hold an overseas licence, other than a learner licence, and are issued with a learner licence after failing one driving test

Are specifically exempted by Roads and Maritime Services.

Recognition of log book hours recorded in another state or territory

If you’ve held a learner licence in another Australian state or territory, Roads and Maritime will recognise hours recorded in an interstate learner driver log book, as long as you provide appropriate documentation.

Practice drives planner

The Practice drives planner is available for supervisors, parents and learner drivers to plan on-road driving experiences. The weekly calendar-style planner can be put up on the fridge or on the wall, so that everyone gets a reminder to negotiate dates and times for practice drives.

The planner can also stimulate discussion between the supervisor and learner driver about where to drive, and what skills to practice. It helps when negotiating and developing a driving partnership. Learning goals and learning content can be found in the Learner Driver Log Book.

Remember:

Plan for practice on a variety of types of roads with different levels of traffic
Ensure the learner driver is getting variety in the time of day
Make sure you plan some night drives, preferably later in the process.
Safer Drivers Course

The Safer Drivers Course helps young drivers on their Ls prepare for driving solo when they graduate to provisional licences.

The course teaches learners how to reduce road risks and includes ways to cope when you have your mates in the car or if you’re running late by developing safe driving behaviour.

It’s also designed to help you understand more about speed management, gap selection, hazard awareness and safe following distances, which your parents, supervising drivers or professional driving lessons may not have covered.

Earn credit hours

As well as becoming a safer driver, you can earn a bonus of 20 hours of log book credit once you complete the course, so you only need to finish 100 hours of supervised driving outside the course.

The course has been designed for a learner to attend once, and therefore, the 20 hours of bonus log book credit will only be deducted once.

If you also take 10 hours of professional driving lessons, you’ll receive a further 20 hours of credit on top of the 10 hours you drive during those lessons.

Learner driver Credit Supervised driving hours Logbook total
Safer Drivers Course 20hrs
10hrs of professional lessons 20hrs
Safer Drivers Course and 10hrs professional lessons 40hrs

Professional lessons totalling more than 10 hours will not provide additional credit.

More information

To complete a course, you must be on your Ls , aged under 25 and have completed at least 50 log book hours of driving.

The course costs $140 and includes a three-hour group discussion with other learners and a two-hour in-vehicle coaching session with another learner.

The course is available in almost 250 locations across NSW.

29/11/201613/01/2022

NSW LICENCE RESTRICTIONS FOR LEARNERS

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
Your BAC must be zero. This means your (BAC) cannot have any alcohol in your system when you drive a vehicle.
Demerit points
Your licence will be suspended if you incur four or more demerit points.
Display of L signs
L signs must be clearly displayed on the front and back of the exterior of the vehicle.
Seatbelts
You must ensure all occupants are properly restrained by seatbelts or approved restraints.
Speed limit
You must not drive faster than 90 km/h and must observe the speed limit where it is
below 90 km/h.
Supervision
A person who has an appropriate Australian full licence (not a learner or provisional licence or an overseas licence) must sit next to you.
Towing
You must not tow a trailer or any other vehicle.
Location restrictions
You must not drive in Parramatta Park,
Centennial Park or Moore Park when in Sydney.
Mobile phone
You must not use any function of a mobile phone, including hands free or loudspeaker
devices when driving.
Licence class
You cannot learn to drive for a higher licence class.

SUSPENSION OR CANCELLATION OF LEARNER LICENCE
A learner who commits driving offences may have their licence
cancelled by a court or suspended or cancelled by Roads & Maritime.
A learner licence can be suspended by Roads & Maritime for offences
such as:
• The learner drives without a supervising driver.
• The learner or passengers are not restrained by seatbelts or child
restraints, as appropriate.
• The learner drives with a passenger(s) in the boot or on the vehicle.

24/03/201613/01/2022

NSW Driving Test Common Mistakes

The officers agree that the big NSW Driving Test Common Mistakes are the small but important things like signalling – either forgetting to indicate or not doing it for long enough and observation – failing to check your mirrors or blind spots. Stop signs can also be troublesome, particularly when it comes to stopping before the line.

Signalling

Don’t just flick your indicator and drive off, you must signal for at a least 5 seconds before leaving a parking space or moving from a kerb. It is also important to signal at the right time because signalling too early, too late or leaving your indicator on can confuse other road users.

Blind spots

Not checking blind spots is another common error. You need to check your blind spots and mirrors when merging, changing lanes and during your manoeuvres. Drivers often forget to check their left hand side blind spot when turning left off wide roads. Think of it this way, if you could fit a car between the kerb and your car, a head check in your blind spot is required before turning left. You never know when something will be travelling up that part of the road. And don’t forget that an observation check is also required to confirm that it is safe to continue before moving off after being stopped at traffic lights.

Stop signs

A common mistake is not stopping at stop signs and just slowly rolling through. You have to stop the whole car behind the line at a stop sign and traffic lights. Stopping behind the line at traffic lights and then creeping forward does not count – you have to stay behind the line. You can move forward at stop signs when the view may be obscured, but only after you’ve come to a complete stop.

Judgement

Another problem is not selecting safe gaps in traffic. It’s a matter of judgement and experience. Sometimes learners will pull out and misjudge the speed of the car coming towards them or, if it’s a truck, you need to take into account that the truck takes longer to stop than a car.

Right turns

Be decisive, learners trying to turn right at lights can take too long to turn – there may be plenty of room but if you hesitate you can get into trouble.

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/geared/your_licence/getting_a_licence/the_big_test.html

21/03/201613/01/2022

Learning to drive TURNING

Learning to drive TURNING
Plan your turns early so that you are in the correct part of the road and have
enough time to signal where you want to turn.
LEFT TURNS
You must make a left turn from the left side of the road. When turning:
• Signal left.
• Move close to the left side of the road.
• Keep to the left side of the road you are entering.
• Use a slip lane where one is provided.
When driving on a multi-lane road, you must turn left from the left lane, or from a
lane with a pavement arrow pointing left.
When turning left or right you must give way to any pedestrians
crossing the road into which you are turning.
RIGHT TURNS
When turning right:
• Signal right.
• Move as close to the centre line as possible.
• When turning on a multi-lane road, turn right from the right lane or a lane with
an arrow pointing right. Turn right when it is safe.
• In marked lanes, you must stay in the same lane as you go from one road to another.
• You must give way to pedestrians crossing the road into which you are turning.

Traffic lights
When turning right at traffic lights:
• Enter the intersection as shown in the diagram, unless a sign indicates otherwise
or there is a red right turn arrow displayed.
• Wait until oncoming traffic clears or breaks and then turn safely.
If the lights change to yellow or red while you are in the middle of the
intersection, you are allowed to turn right. You must turn as soon as it is safe to do
so. Be sure your front wheels and car are straight and not blocking the oncoming traffic.

Guide to the driving test

road_users_handbook-english

Book a RTA driving test

11/03/201625/03/2016

Camber Driving School Review

Camber Driving School Review

After not being passing my test for 5 times and attending couple of different driving schools, I finally had my driving lesson with Cameron at Camber Driving School today. It was a 2 hour lesson, I was quite nervous but Cameron was very encouraging and calm we went through practising turns and crossing at junctions, parkings. After two hrs we went to rta and then finally i PASSED!!!!
Yayyy I would never have been able to do it without Cameron amazing guidance, he was always calm when I was panicking and gave me confidence in my own judgments.
Thank you so much Cameron.
Cheers
Anum Hammad

29/11/201513/01/2022

Driving In The Rain DRIVING SAFELY IN THE WET

Driving In The Rain

When the rain comes down, the roads can get crazy.

The streets are busier as more people drive to avoid the rain and the roads become slippery. There’s the water itself, but the rain also brings oil and other slippery muck to the surface.
It’s harder to see the road ahead, your windscreen becomes foggy and your brakes are less effective.
It’s no surprise that in the wet weather there are more prangs, but there are some simple things you can do to avoid getting into trouble.

Slow down
It seems obvious, but it’s always a good idea in wet weather to ease up on the gas.
You should also increase the distance between you and the cars ahead.
In normal conditions, it’s recommended that you leave a three second gap – in the wet, try to double this.

Take it easy
You need to take extra care in all aspects of your driving. Accelerate and steer smoothly. Avoid slamming on the brakes – apply steady pressure.

Look out
Make sure you can see and be seen. Turn on your lights and use your air conditioner and/or demister to keep your windows from fogging up.
In heavy rain, you’ll wish you had replaced those worn old windscreen wipers. Before that happens, check out whether you need new ones – they’re cheap to buy and easy to install.

Watch out
Keep an eye out for water on the road. Sometimes water can gather in dips or unseen potholes, creating deceptively deep pools.
Cars have been known to ‘aquaplane’ after hitting water like this (that is, ‘glide’ out of control across the road).
If you do come across water across the road, then cut your speed right back to 30 or 40km/h. After you’ve driven through, touch your brakes lightly to dry out the brake pads.
Obviously, if there’s water flowing across a road in a low-lying country area, for example, you should stop and check the depth before continuing (it shouldn’t be higher than the lowest point on the wheel rim).

Patience
The most important thing is to be patient. When it’s raining and chaotic, everyone’s in the same boat…

NSW Geared

29/11/201513/01/2022

NSW Some of the worst driver distractions:

Some of the worst driver distractions

NSW Police Traffic Services Commander, Chief Superintendent John Hartley, says there’s little doubt that distracted drivers can cause traffic problems and road crashes.

He explains that there are many distractions on the road, including more and more traffic.

Additionally, drivers now also have to contend with new or more affordable technologies like smart phones, MP3 players, GPS devices, and in-car DVDs, which can act as a distraction.

Here are some of the worst driver distractions:

Mobile phones (talking and texting)
Using a mobile while driving can increase the risk of a collision by four times, according to several studies. Sending a text message is even worse.

Learner and P1 drivers are not allowed to use ANY function of a phone (including hands-free) while driving.

P2 drivers may only use a mobile phone to make or receive a call, or use the audio player if the phone is secured in a fixed mounting. If you are a P2 driver, and your phone is not in a mounting, to answer your phone it must not require you to touch or manipulate the phone in any way.

All other functions such as texting, video messaging, online chatting, reading preview messages and emailing are not allowed. The new laws make it clear that a driver in a moving or stationary vehicle (unless parked) MUST NOT HOLD a phone in his or her hand other than to pass the phone to a passenger.

Adjusting vehicle settings
This is the most common bad driving habit because many people don’t realise it’s dangerous to fiddle with the radio, air-conditioning or windows while driving.

“Crashes often occur as a result of only a moment’s inattention,” says Commander Chief Superintendent John Hartley.

“While you’re changing the CD or skimming through songs on your mp3, your full attention isn’t on the road and [it is] placing you at risk of a crash.” The best idea is to make any adjustments before you set off or put your mp3 on shuffle before you begin your journey.

Passengers
Young drivers have a greater risk of crashing when they have friends in the car.

The stats also tell us that there’s more chance of causing a fatal crash when you have two or more friends in the car, especially male passengers. However, the risk is reduced when carrying an adult or a child, compared with carrying no passengers.

Eating, drinking and smoking
Aside from the obvious dangers of drink-driving, even sipping on a non-alcoholic drink takes your focus off the road.

An American study has found that eating a cheeseburger can be more distracting than talking on a mobile. And the risk of causing a crash is just one more reason not to smoke!

External distractions
As if there wasn’t enough happening inside the car, there are lots of distractions outside too. Make sure you look out for other drivers and pedestrians, while trying to block out the roadside billboards, shops and all sorts of unexpected or interesting things going on in the streets.

NSW Geared

29/11/201513/01/2022

Driver Fatigue Avoiding Driver Fatigue

Driver Fatigue

Driver Fatigue accounts for about 20% of road deaths in NSW.

Driver fatigue is particularly dangerous because it affects everyone, no matter how experienced a driver you are.

What is driver fatigue?
Fatigue is a term used to describe the feeling of being ‘sleepy’, ‘tired’ or ‘exhausted’.
This is your body’s way of telling you that you need to stop and rest or sleep. The
best way to avoid driver fatigue is to make sure you have plenty of sleep before you
set off. The only way to treat driver fatigue once you have already started driving is to
stop and rest until you are refreshed.

Facts about fatigue
Fatigue fact 1 Fatigue is associated with the hours when you would normally be
asleep. The risk of having a fatal fatigue crash is four times greater between the
hours of 10pm and 6am because this is when your body is programmed to sleep.
Your temperature falls and your blood pressure drops so that at night and to some
extent during the afternoon, your ability to perform tasks can be severely impaired.
This includes your ability to drive.
Your circadian rhythms (natural sleep pattern) cause this type of fatigue and there
is nothing you can do to stop it. So if you drive at night or early in the morning
your risk of driver fatigue is increased.

Fatigue fact 2 The average person needs about eight hours of sleep each night
to function normally, teenagers need even more. When you reduce the number of
hours you sleep at night you start to accumulate what is called a ‘sleep debt’. The
only way to treat your sleep debt is by sleeping.

Fatigue fact 3 Fatigue is caused by how long you have been awake. After being
awake for 17 hours the risk of driver fatigue is greatly increased.

Fatigue fact 4 You have a high risk of suffering from fatigue immediately after
you wake up, when you still feel groggy. This is called ‘sleep inertia’ and generally
lasts between 15 to 30 minutes. Wait until you have overcome sleep inertia before
you drive.
All these factors will increase your fatigue.

Fatigue fact 5 The risk of driver fatigue increases with the amount of time you
have spent driving. To reduce fatigue you should aim to stop for 15 minutes every
two hours. But remember, the only cure for fatigue is a good night’s sleep.

Signs of driver fatigue
Driver fatigue severely impairs your concentration and judgement; it slows your
reaction time. In fact, some of the effects of fatigue are as dangerous as the effects
of alcohol on your driving. As you drive, watch for early warning signs of driver
fatigue:
• Yawning.
• Poor concentration.
• Tired or sore eyes.
• Restlessness.
• Drowsiness.
• Slow reactions.
• Boredom.
• Feeling irritable.
• Making fewer and larger steering corrections.
• Missing road signs.
• Having difficulty staying in the lane.

If you feel tired and you notice these signs it is time to STOP. REVIVE.

SURVIVE. Regular breaks every two hours will help avoid fatigue.

Tips on avoiding driver fatigue
• Get plenty of sleep before starting off.
• Avoid starting a long drive at the end of the day.
• Avoid driving between 10pm and 6am or when you would normally be asleep.
• Share the driving if you can.
• Aim to stop for 15 minutes every two hours.
• Pull over and stop when you notice the warning signs of fatigue.
• Have light snacks rather than fatty foods.
• Avoid too much coffee or sweet soft drinks.
• Drink plenty of water – dehydration can cause fatigue.
• Stay away from alcohol at all costs.
• Stop before you’re tired.

A microsleep is a brief and unintended loss of consciousness.
It is characterised by head snapping, nodding or closing your eyes for
more than a couple of seconds. Microsleeps occur when you try to
stay awake to perform a monotonous task such as driving and can last
from a few seconds to a few minutes.
During a four second microsleep a car travelling at 100 km/h will travel
more than 110 metres while completely out of the driver’s control.

Stop and Revive. Stop before you’re tired.