Employment and education opportunities could be restricted for rural 16 and 17-year-olds if a recommendation to raise the minimum age for a learner motorcycle permit goes ahead, according to Livestock SA.
The Centre for Automotive Safety Research’s Recommendations for a Graduated Licensing System for Motorcyclists in SA, conducted by the University of Adelaide, outlined 10 recommendations to improve the safety of motorcycle riders, including raising the minimum age from 16 to 18 years.
This would mean farmers under the age of 18 could not ride across a road, or move down a road where motorbikes are used extensively for moving and managing livestock.
Road Safety Minister Chris Picton was seeking feedback about the report and Livestock SA was invited to make a submission last month.
Keyneton beef and sheep producer and Livestock SA president Joe Keynes said the recommendation could restrict the labour force for primary producers.
“The major concern is the 16 to 18-year-old age bracket is a key labour resource for rural SA, with sons and daughters coming home on farms and employing backpackers,” Mr Keynes said.
“It’s the time when we start attracting young people into agriculture, and because agriculture is booming, we need young people to come in and keep it going, and for young people coming in we don’t want any barriers.”
Livestock SA says if this recommendation was to be implemented, there would need to be a special provision for young people involved in farming.
It suggests that for motorcycles owned by a primary producer, a rider should be able get a learner's permit under the same conditions that apply at present, from the age of 16, but then must hold that learner's permit until they are the same age as all other riders to move on to a R-Date permit – the motorbike equivalent of a provisional licence.
Other recommendations in the CASR report include introducing a minimum period of six months to hold a motorcycle learner permit, requiring learner drivers to wear high visibility clothing, prohibiting learner and R-Date riders from riding between midnight and 5am, a minimum period of three years for R-Date riders, and a lower demerit point threshold for R-Date riders.
Mr Keynes said while the report did not take into account the restrictions on agriculture, he did appreciate the government’s invitation to make a submission.
“These recommendations don’t have any acknowledgment of primary industry and that’s a bit of an issue, but at least they’re coming out and they’re seeking submissions from us,” he said.
