As part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, a re-elected majority Liberal Government will deliver a nation-leading, comprehensive driver education program in every Tasmanian school from Grade 9 to 12.

The education program will be delivered in partnership with the RACT and the Road Safety Advisory Council.

“Keeping our young people safe on the roads is just so incredibly important,” Premier Rockliff said.

“Every crash, every serious injury and every death has a devastating impact on individuals, families and loved ones.

“Just as we teach children in our schools how to swim to ensure their safety, a re-elected majority Liberal Government will put in place a comprehensive young driver education program starting in Grade 9, before students even get a Learner's Licence.

“This will include theoretical and hands-on driver education, additional parental and carer support in their roles as “driving coaches”, as well as supporting young drivers as they move to their provisional licences at the age of 17.”

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Michael Ferguson, said that about 300 Tasmanians are killed or seriously injured on our roads annually.

Tragically, about 25 per cent of this toll are young people aged between 17 and 25.

“While last year’s road toll was below previous years, it was still too high and we must never stop striving to achieve our Towards Zero goal,” Minister Ferguson said.

“By arming young people with knowledge of responsible driving through practical and in-classroom education, we can create generations of safer young drivers.”

The total investment for this program is $8 million over five years.