Return plates

A plate to recognise drivers returning to the road

Anew type of car plate has been introduced on Australian roads to help encourage extra consideration for drivers recovering from trauma. Australian service and repair company mycar Tyre & Auto, formerly Kmart Tyre & Auto, has launched “R Plates”, also known as “Return Plates”, to identify drivers returning to the road.

The idea is the plates will encourage empathy from other road users, so the returning drivers feel less pressure as they adapt to being back behind the wheel.

The plates have been introduced after a survey of 1000 Aussie drivers in August found 73 per cent had been affected by a road incident.

The psychological impact of accidents on the road is often overlooked, according to Dr Jason Thompson, an Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne and an expert in transportation and post-injury rehabilitation.

“People talk about the physical injuries associated with car accidents, but we often overlook the psychological impact associated with the experience,” he said.

“I have worked many and varied shifts with Norm over the years. He has been a source of interesting information and we have had a lot of laughs along the way! When I walk into his room on my shift he always remembers my name. I think this is great.”

“Norm really loves to go out to have morning tea especially beside the lake (weather permitting) and he has lots of stories to tell.”

- Pat

Pat is our first volunteer and has supported Norm since the late 80’s. Thank you Pat!

Two-thirds of drivers also said they felt safer on the road having a visible P plate or L plate on their car when learning to drive, according to the survey done by Pureprofile.

Dr Thompson said he supported the use of R Plates. “Returning to the road can be a scary and a nerve-wracking experience, so even just having those feelings recognised could help people in their recovery.”

The plates also include a QR code which links to support services.

The mycar Tyre & Auto initiative is not yet backed by a government regulator, with the company asking drivers to petition for this to happen.