Should New Zealand adopt Australia's stricter licensing approach?

The AA's pushing for change, prompted by figures showing 18 to 24 year old drivers in New Zealand are three times more likely to die on our roads than the same cohort in Australia.

It has commissioned research by Adelaide University - which suggests Australia's tougher penalties and additional testing could work here.

Study lead Lisa Wundersitz says it could have a real impact.

"Young drivers tend to have more crashes than any other age group - and I guess we need to consider that they're inexperienced as well. It's important to put a good foundation in."

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