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New Queensland lice Stricter licensing laws for young drivers
The Queensland Government has also taken steps to reduce the road toll among young drivers. In July 2007, the government introduced the Graduated Licensing Scheme. The new scheme requires young people to go through a more stringent process to get their licence, and places more restrictions on them during their early years of driving (see box for more details). It’s early years yet, but experts are hopeful that the scheme will lead to a reduction in crashes involving young drivers.
Keep trying to connect with your kids
If all this seems a bit daunting, there is some good news: being a loving, connected parent is one of the best things you can do to help your child grow up safely. Studies the world over have found that children are less likely to engage in highrisk behaviours (including risky driving) if their family communicates, provides appropriate discipline, offers a supportive environment, and takes an interest in what children are doing. So — connect with your kids, keep talking, and try to get them on the right road early on.
-and-a-half to sixteen nce reduced from sixteen • Age to get learner’s lice years. at least 12 months and hold learner’s licence for • Young people must now car. attach an L plate to their rs of supervised driving logbook recording 100 hou • Learners must keep a k is submitted boo rs of night driving. Log practice, including 10 hou ctical test for pra ore bef rt and Main Roads to Department of Transpo provisional licence. visional licence (red P test, they receive a ‘P1’ pro al ctic pra ses pas ner lear • If plate). ard perception test to level, driver must pass a haz • After 12 months at P1 a minimum of two for d plate). P2 must be hel progress to ‘P2’ (green P . nce lice gress to open years before driver can pro ds-free mobile phones. s under 25 cannot use han • Learners and P1 holder senger under 21 carry no more than one pas • P1 drivers under 25s can between 11pm and 5am. to high-powered vehicles. er 25 have restricted access • P1 and P2 drivers und t www.tmr.qld.gov.au. For more information, visi
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Shared Care laws explained “A lot of mums and dads come to me saying, `shared care (equal time) is now the law’, but that’s not true,” says Michelle Beatty, Senior Associate with Ferguson Cannon Lawyers. “The 2006 changes to the law specifically says parents have `equal parental responsibility’. So parents must both agree on long term decisions for children - education, name (including surname), health, religious and cultural upbringing and changes in a child’s living arrangements that would affect them seeing the other parent,” she adds.
to implement a shared care regime; the level of communication between the parents and the impact of a shared care regime on the child.”
“If equal parental responsibility applies, then the first thing the court has to decide is whether shared care (equal time) would be practical and in the child’s best interests. As to practicalities, a court will want to know, amongst other things - how close the parents live to each other; the parents’ ability
“Essentially, the changes in the law require parents to agree on the big issues. Orders like we used to see in the past, for children to only spend alternative weekends with Dad, are rare, rather than the norm, if Dad does want more time. The Court’s position is: `The welfare of the children is the paramount consideration,” Michelle adds.
Michelle explains that if shared care isn’t appropriate, the Court must consider whether the child should spend `substantial and significant time’ with each parent: time on weekdays, weekends and holidays that allows both parents to be involved in the child’s daily routine as well as occasions and events of special significance to both the parent and the child.
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Separation or relationship breakdown can put you into conflict affecting your whole family. Advice from a family law professional, who is focused on achieving positive outcomes, p for fo you and your children can put you in safe hands. For Fo our free information booklet email info@fclawyers.com.au
Level 1, 17 Southern Drive Maroochydore L Level 25, 239 George Street Brisbane L 1800 640 509 fclawyers.com.au MARCH / APRIL 2011 – KiDs on tHe CoAst
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