On the road … Jacob Bandur, 18, with driving instructor Christopher Lawford / Pic: Brad Hunter Source: The Daily Telegraph

A day after The Daily Telegraph revealed the cabinet had approved cutting the number of hours from 120 to 100, there are now plans to reduce that by another 20 hours, further reducing the burden on learner drivers’ parents who have to log their child’s progress.

An independent board of road safety and education experts will consider the proposal while they develop the safety course before reporting back to the government.

The decision to cut the compulsory practice time to 100 hours was welcomed by instructors and young drivers yesterday.

Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.

Recommended Coverage

Less time behind wheel for L-platers

LEARNER drivers under 25 years of age can practise for 20 hours less – if they take a safe driving course, the government will announce.

End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.

In 2011, police fined 12,093 L-platers – including 2341 for speeding, 3856 for not displaying their L-plates and 1134 for driving while suspended or disqualified.

Roads Minister Duncan Gay said the safe driving course would go some way to reducing speeding offences in young people by teaching them new attitudes.

“We are committed to reducing road crashes, injuries and fatalities among young people and this new initiative will help us to do that,” he said.

Stephen O’Sullivan, manager of Trent Driving School, said the proposal was a good one, but didn’t go far enough: “At the moment, you can drive for 120 hours, but it doesn’t stipulate what should be done in those 120 hours,” he said.

“It should be about driving skills and knowledge, not just the number of hours.”

Jacob Bandur, 18, of Bexley, is 30 hours into his practice. He said he would do the safety course when it is offered.

“100 hours is more realistic,” Jacob said.

“I have training a couple of nights a week and I try to drive to and from training, and also with a driving instructor. It would definitely help my parents if I didn’t have to practise for 120 hours.”

Jacob said he was happy the proposed safer drivers course would focus on the attitudes of young drivers.

Jeff Mason, of Emu Plains, has taught his five children, aged 19 to 31, to drive.

He believes changing the attitudes of young drivers will have the most influence on the frequency of fatal accidents.

“They need the right skills, and attitude,” Mr Mason said.

“And parents who are teaching their children need help to keep up with road rules.”