What is the reason behind wearing Pplates?

[Pidgey]

Hey guys,

I'm doing a persuasive speach on P platers for an english assignment. The point I'm trying to get across is that the P plate is just a revenue raiser and it does nothing for vehicle accidents, and that if the government wanted to actually curb our road toll they would invest in driver education.... But they don't because that wouldn't make money.
So here's for the question. What is the reason behind wearing a white peice of plastic with a red or green upper-case P on it on our cars?

Please, no stupid bollocks, and don't flame me kents!!!

[dori_86]

to inform the public that you are a provisional licensed driver and that they my need to give you more room/attention/patient as you are still learning etc thats why some states there is P1 and P2, so if you havent broken any traffic rules you are allow to drive on a provisional license without having to display p-plates... well thats my understanding of displaying p-plates

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also i did a similar essay on this subject awhile back, be careful when looking at data to see if they are including passengers (ie not just the driver in the results) as this affects the under 20 category for accidents/deaths etc?

[rthy]

its to indicate your on probationary license?

maybe talk about this

[Fusion]

Also to indicated why you may be doing a slower speed, as I think you are restricted to certain speed limits on your P's aren't you? Not to sure state by state sorry

[Pidgey]

If the only reason of these plates is to indicate to other motorists that the P plater is still learning, then why don't other people have a sign on their windows saying "I don't check my mirrors or my blind spot before coming into your lane" or "I follow way too close, so please be considerate when i slam on my brakes"?

[Fusion]

Ah, but that could to an extent be argued that people should be more aware of their surroundings whislt driving at all times, even though it is not neccesary. I know personally when driving I will check about 2 - 3 cars ahead, what the car is doing next to me and what the car behind me is doing as much as possible. Might be a bit anal, but it usuall helps me to determine what the traffic is / or going to do at all times

[dori_86]

i know some insurance companies did, not sure if they still do? but thet offer free/cheap driver training courses to new drivers, and as a reward if they complete the course they get cheaper insurance, so you could say that insurance companies have already identified the problem and are actively trying to fix it with increased training above government requirements?

...sorry to whore just thinking of all the research i was able to get

[Pidgey]

You're not whoring, you're helping
I've done a two day driver training course. Helped me immensely, and I met some pretty awesome drivers.
If there were a set of data recorded, like how many P platers are pulled over by police in relation to open licence holders, I'm sure the results would be pretty convincing that P platers are a target group.
Punishing the majority for the actions of a minority.

[Fusion]

Not to sre if this would help your argument or not, but what about a point where the elderly have a plate on their vechile. I'm not neccesarily trying to judge anyone in particular, as some older drivers can be better than those younger. However some elderly drivers are shocking. Take corners at 10Kmph, drive under the speed limit, etc. Would you consider them a danger themselves that they would need plates displayed to warn drivers similar to how a P plate does.

Sorry if none of this helps. Just trying to brainstorm for your argument

[Pidgey]

They actually do that in J-land.
Called "fukushi" or something.