"While the proposals for tougher driver testing makes sense, the planned night time passenger restrictions will put many young people in a very difficult situation when they go out at night" said Acting Director, Linda Frow

"There are usually few transport options available to young people who want to go out at night, but cannot use a car.  Public transport services can be infrequent or unavailable, while long taxi journeys are too expensive."

"Sharing a car is often the only practical option for young people, particularly in areas not served well by public transport, such as in parts of Western Sydney and country NSW."

"We must avoid a situation where novice drivers either break the law in order to transport friends who are stuck for a ride, or worse, take the risk of driving when after having consumed alcohol."

"NCOSS is also concerned that some young people will be placed in a situation of danger accepting a ride from a person they may not be safe with," said Ms Frow. "This is a real issue for young women who need to get home safely at night."

"If the Government wants to toughen the conditions for night time P plate drivers, then it also needs to guarantee that there will be other alternatives available, such as safe and reliable public transport services."

"There is no question that we need to be serious about the safety of novice drivers in NSW, but we also need solutions that will not create more problems than they attempt to solve."