Driving age set to rise

A rise in the driving age is likely following a strong show of public support, information released by Transport Minister Steven Joyce shows.

Public submissions on a review of road safety showed most people supported raising the driving age, as well as extending the learner licence period and making the restricted licence test harder to encourage more supervised driving practice.

More than 15000 submissions were received.

Mr Joyce today released a summary of the submissions.

Alcohol and drug use was an area of concern for submitters.

Many saw it as a wider problem and wanted restrictions on access to substances and treatment for people with addictions.

Other changes supported by submitters were altering the give way rule for turning traffic, improving training and licensing for motorbike riders and improving walking and cycling infrastructure.

Submitters were also concerned about driver fatigue and distraction, however they did not generally support enforcement as a response.

Most believed the driver was more important than the car or speed they were travelling at.

One submission said there was "too much focus on speeding and not enough on good driving".

Mr Joyce said he was grateful to those who shared their views and the submissions would play an important role in shaping the strategy.

However he said it was also important that any legislative or rule changes were backed up by evidence.

"My focus is on implementing initiatives that will actually change behaviour and, ultimately, reduce the road toll."

The new 10-year road safety strategy was expected to be released early next year.

- NZPA