National proposes crackdown on drivers 'abusing' licence system

File photo / NZ Herald

National would stop thousands of people sitting for years on their learner and restricted licences.

The party today released its road safety policy, which includes plans to stop drivers "abusing" the licence system, by passing legislation limiting the time anyone can spend on a learner or restricted licence.

National's transport spokesman Steven Joyce said thousands of people would be hit under the crackdown.

"There are currently more than 113,000 learners licence holders and almost 123,000 restricted licence holders who have held that licence for more than five years."

He said progressing through the licence system significantly reduced the crash risk for new drivers, and these conditions should not be optional.

"National will also introduce a tougher restricted licence test early next year to encourage young people and novice drivers to spend more time practising their skills under supervision before they are able to drive solo."

Motorcycle licence testing would also be strengthened and a power-to-weight restriction introduced for novice motorcyclists, he said.

Mr Joyce said young drivers were disproportionately represented in fatal and serious crash statistics.

He said improving the safety of young drivers is a priority for National as young drivers are disproportionately represented in fatal and serious crash statistics.

"Last year 15 to 19-year-olds made up 7.4 per cent of New Zealand's population and 6.1 per cent of all licenced drivers, but they were involved in around 17 per cent of all serious injury crashes."

He said young drivers caused 60 deaths and 385 serious injuries in crashes in the last year alone.

The party also announced it would would invest $12.2 billion on improving the high-use highways - the Roads of National Significance programme - over the next 10 years.

The road safety policy includes spending $620 million a year from the National Land Transport Fund to improve road safety.

National Party Leader John Key said the party would spend $295 million on safety improvements over the next three years, and $300 million on road policing.

The party would make "common-sense law changes" to target groups and behaviours that have the most impact on our road toll, as well as making engineering improvements to make well-travelled routes safer, he said.