The state government has announced a new set of rules for P-Plate drivers, in a bid to bring down the rising road toll. It follows criticism the government's been too slow to act in the wake of a spate of fatalities involving young drivers on WA roads.
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00:00Earlier this year, Carolyn Herring became a part of a group she never wanted to join.
00:07I live and breathe a parent's worst nightmare.
00:10She lost her 19-year-old son Dakota when his motorbike was hit by a car earlier this year.
00:16Still processing her grief, she's desperate to stop other families going through the same
00:21pain.
00:22Now the government has announced new rules for novice drivers.
00:26From December 1, all existing and future red P-plate drivers will be allowed to carry
00:31only one passenger in the vehicle at all times.
00:35Tom's Law is named in honour of Tom Saffiotti, who was a passenger in a fatal crash in 2021.
00:42His family has also been lobbying the government.
00:45I think that it's time that the West Australian government sort of like step up to the plate
00:50and actually protect our kids.
00:54The state government says the passenger limit rule is just one of many measures aimed at
00:59reducing WA's road toll.
01:01We're having that comprehensive review into licence systems and programs and how people
01:07get their licences to make sure we're using the best evidence and looking at what the
01:12experience in other states to keep West Australians safer.
01:15The opposition says it will support the changes, but it's concerned they've been rushed.
01:20It comes on the back of catastrophic figures with regard to deaths on our roads and I just
01:26hope it's not a thought bubble.
01:27I hope they've thought it through because from what I see and what I've read and what
01:30I've heard, in fact the changes are quite modest in comparison with other jurisdictions.
01:34Parents say it's a good start.
01:36I don't want to see other families have to go through this same agony, pain.
01:42It is absolutely heart-wrenching to have to bury your own children.
01:48Ms Herring, who's a teacher, says she'll continue to spread the road safety message.