When it comes to assessing the competence of the drivers we bike riders share the roads with every day, it would be true to say we have skin in the game.
We are up close, with a good view into the cabin, and we are observant.
And what we assess all too often is that the driver is unfamiliar with the environment, does not know or has scant regard for the road rules, and possesses an air of distinct privilege over and above the inferior bike riding species.
And this may not be surprising as typically Australia welcomes large number of students, tourists, and immigrants every year, many of whom find themselves behind the wheel of a motor vehicle in an unfamiliar world with a very different safety culture.
Changes to make things better for all road users are now afoot.
Australia’s Recognised Country Scheme (which is similar to that in place in New Zealand) has been in place nearly 20 years and provides for licences from certain countries to be converted to Australian licences, in some cases without any additional testing requirements.
In addition, both countries are parties to international conventions, which allow visitors to drive on their overseas licences for a certain period of time.
A review has been underway at Austroads into improving this system for better safety outcomes while ensuring overseas licensed drivers, including those seeking to transfer to an Australian licence, can access the Australian road network effectively and safely.
The recommended changes include:
- restricting the time an overseas driver licence is recognised before the licence holder is required to convert to a local licence
- revising the assessment criteria (including adding a requirement for a Safe System approach to driver training and assessment), and application and review arrangements for countries
- seeking to have their licences recognised developing a comprehensive framework of educational material to overseas visitors wishing to drive in Australia
- reviewing the briefing materials provided for those intending to transfer their overseas licence to an Australian equivalent
- promoting data collection and analysis to determine the crash risk of overseas licence holders including tourists
- sharing information about emerging concerns in the management of overseas issued licences with domestic and international licensing partners.
Austroads will appoint a working group to facilitate the implementation of the recommended policies.
According to Michael Nieuwesteeg, Austroads Safety and Design Program Manager, while this work is underway, Austroads will not assess any new applications from overseas licensing agencies for recognised country status
"We expect the new criteria and application process will be in place in 2023. In the interim, the processing of applications from individuals to transfer to an Australian licence will continue unchanged,” he said.