 Provisional drivers in Queensland will now have to abide by new laws which were introduced in July 2007 following the increasing deaths and crashes amongst young drivers. The new laws include a two-phased P1 and P2 licensing system which restricts the amount of passengers in a vehicle late at night and prohibits the use of mobile phones and high performance vehicles. |
 Impoundment will apply for repeat “type 2 vehicle related offences” committed anywhere in Queensland. These targeted offences include driving a vehicle that is both unregistered and uninsured, driving while unlicensed or disqualified, drink driving at 0.15% or more. Failing to supply a specimen of breath or blood, or driving whilst under 24 hour suspension and driving an illegally modified vehicle. |
 We all know that when owning a car, we all want to add a personalised touch. For some it’s simply adding seat covers, some fluffy dice and an air freshener, for others it’s a little more involved, be it adding aftermarket wheels and a body kit, to souping up the performance of the engine. When carrying it modifications however, it’s important to understand the rules and regulations that govern what you can and can’t do to your car. |
 High-powered and performance vehicle restrictions apply for the duration of P1 and P2 licence periods for under 25s. These restrictions also apply to probationary licence holders who return from a disqualification to a P1 or P2 probationary licence, where at the time of the offence they were under 25. These limits apply for the duration of the probationary period regardless of age. |
 Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) uses digital cameras and software similar to Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software to extract the registration data of vehicles. This can be done by pointing the camera at parked cars, but is most commonly done by deploying the camera adjacent to a road, and monitoring passing traffic. Variants have been used in most Australian States since the 1980s for heavy vehicle traffic. The technology is related to, but differs in some ways from, that used for 'speed cameras' and 'red light cameras'. |
 Mitch Congram of Roadsmart discusses the methods of speed enforcement used within Australia, the effectiveness of these strategies, specifically relationing to speed cameras, the criticism received and the recommendations to improve public perception of their operation. |