Schoolie drivers warned

Research reveals the shocking fact that more than six out of 10 young people admit to riding in overcrowded cars.

One in seven even admitted they had ridden in a car boot.

The NRMA Insurance survey, conducted by Woolcott, also shows that almost a third of 16-24 year olds had travelled with a driver who they believed was over the legal blood alcohol limit.

NRMA Insurance state manager Brett Robinson said; these figures should encourage parents to drive their children to schoolies week celebrations to reduce the risk of over-crowding and driver distractions.

"A lot of young people will be testing their new-found freedom this weekend, starting with road trips to schoolies celebrations with their friends," he said.

Susan Hawkins is taking her company's advice to heart.

The NRMA Insurance corporate affairs manager got together with parents of her daughter's friends and worked out a car pooling arrangement to transport them to Schoolies Week.

"Our biggest fear for our kids was not what goes on at Schoolies Week, but the trip there and back," Hawkins said.

"So I'm driving the six down to Brooms Head in the Kia Grand Carnival which seats eight so no one has to sit on the floor, and another lot of parents is driving them back."

Her daughter, Samantaha Convey, 16, said she had wanted to go with a friend.

"I guess I was a little bit frustrated and annoyed when mum told me she was going to take us, but I can see her point of view about safety," she said.

"Some kids have only just got their licences."

The survey also found that one in five young people confessed they had driven while intoxicated, eight out of 10 admitted to driving above the speed limit, nearly three out of 10 had travelled in a car with an unlicensed or disqualified driver and more than six out of 10 admitted to driving an overcrowded car.

Car crashes are the leading cause of death among Australians aged 16-25 years.

NRMA Insurance is also funding a special Defensive Driving Course this weekend (November 24) at the Mt Cotton Training Centre.

Sixteen young drivers, aged 18-25 years, will participate with eight from the Queensland Police Citizens Youth Welfare Association and eight from smash repair shops- those who are young smash repair apprentices.

Local police will also be involved on the day.

The young drivers will spend a whole day covering theory and practical on-road exercises, which focus on:

• Attitudes and behaviour on the road - special focus on road rage.

• Defensive driving techniques - vehicle control, following distance and driver fatigue.

• Driving risks - in-car distractions like mobile phones, i-pods and other passengers.

Funding for the course comes from NRMA Insurance's Community Help Grants program, which offers grants of up to $5000 to community groups and local organisations who are pro-active in the areas of crime prevention, injury prevention, emergency services and the environment.

NRMA Insurance hopes to address the over-representation of young drivers in road crashes and believed it relevant to run the course at this time of year, keeping safety front of mind for new drivers on our roads, especially around schoolies celebrations.

According to Queensland Transport, young drivers aged 17-24 are twice as likely to be involved in fatal crashes than drivers aged between 25-29. And, while young drivers make up only 13 per cent of motorists on Queensland roads, they comprise around 35 per cent of the road toll.

Schoolie drive tips

Safety tips for young people who are driving to schoolies celebrations;

• Don't drink.

• Make sure your friends are all wearing seat belts and never overcrowd the car.

• Follow the new peer passenger rules if you are a P1 driver on the road 11pm-5am.

• Never allow anyone to ride in the boot.

If you are a passenger;

• Speak up if you feel unsafe.

• Have a back-up plan to get home if you believe the driver has consumed drugs or alcohol.