WA drivers 'lack basic skills'
From The West Australian
By Tiffany Laurie
October 25, 2005
WA licence requirements
do not equip drivers with the skills to avoid simple accidents, says
the WA Motor Trade Association.
Association executive
director Peter Fitzpatrick yesterday said WA's tests were an inadequate
judge of drivers' skills and did not ensure drivers could cope with
tragic accidents similar to one at the weekend where former Wallaby
player Phil Kearns' daughter Andie was run over by a 4WD in the family
driveway.
Mr Fitzpatrick
called on all drivers to get involved in defensive driving courses
and install safety devices such as reversing sensors, saying the devices
would save lives.
His comments came
after it emerged that Mr Kearns was moving forward in his Volkswagen
Touareg, rather than backwards, when he accidentally hit his daughter
on Saturday. The toddler is still in a critical condition in the intensive
care unit of The Children's Hospital, Randwick.
About 30 toddlers
died each year in driveways accidents, with 4WDs responsible for more
than two-thirds of the accidents.
Mr Fitzpatrick
said drivers were taught basic reversing skills when they first applied
for their licence, but many drivers were unable to cope with emergencies
and accidents.
Four-wheel-drive
vehicles required more skill to be driven safely because their size,
height and weight often limited visibility and made them more difficult
to handle.
"Reverse
sensors would certainly save lives if they were universally adopted,
but the only way for it to become compulsory is to make it an Australian
standard and I do not see that happening," Mr Fitzpatrick said.
RAC member advocacy
executive director David Moir said reversing sensors gave drivers
a false sense of security and should not be used as an substitute
for driver awareness.
Sensors were designed
to detect fixed objects such as poles, but would not necessarily detect
a young child or pedestrian in time to prevent an accident.
"Most driving
instructors do teach people the basics but a sense of complacency
does tend to seep in when people get used to driving and get used
to their cars," Mr Moir said.
"Visibility
has more to do with the placement and shape of windows, the placement
of the driver's seat, and even things like rear spoilers can cause
problems."
