Road Safety
- Publication no: AP-R424-13
- ISBN: 978-1-925037-07-4
- Published: 11 June 2013
- PDF (free) Download
This report considers countermeasures to reduce the incidence of unlicensed driving on Australian roads.
Unlicensed motorists pose a problem to road safety authorities as they are operating independently of the established licensing system and are known to have higher than average crash rates. By operating beyond the licensing system, unlicensed motorists reduce the ability of authorities to monitor and manage driver behaviour and reduce the impact of the sanction of licence loss.
The report is based on a review of Australian and international literature, with an emphasis on articles with the greatest relevance to Australia and discussions with stakeholders. It identifies the countermeasures most likely to be effective and feasible in Australia and provides a path to their implementation.
- 1. INTRODUCTION
- 2. ANALYSIS OF UNLICENSED DRIVING
- 3. POSSIBLE COUNTERMEASURES
- 3.1. Improved Detection
- 3.2. Effective Sanctions
- 3.3. Encouraging Licensed Driving
- 3.4. Making Unlicensed Driving More Difficult
- 3.5. Summary
- 4. RECOMMENDED COUNTERMEASURES AND PATH TO IMPLEMENTATION
- 4.1. Licence Checks During RBT or RDT
- 4.2. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)
- 4.3. Use of Operator Onus Offences to Detect Unlicensed Driving
- 4.4. Vehicle Impoundment or Immobilisation
- 4.5. Trials of Rehabilitation or Education Programs
- 4.6. Use of Vehicle Technology to Address Problem Behaviours Leading to Loss of Licence
- 4.7. Improved Communication with Unlicensed Drivers
- 4.8. Co-ordination of Programs to Encourage Licensing in Disadvantaged Groups
- 4.9. Employer Checks of Licence Status of Employees
- 4.10. Electronic Driver Licences Linked to the Vehicle Ignition
- 4.11. Other Recommendations to Assist in Reducing Unlicensed Driving