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Articles -
Safety and Insurance
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Tuesday, 19 May 2009 |
The Government of Saskatchewan is furthering its commitment to motorcycle safety by introducing a Graduated Driver's Licensing (GDL) program for new motorcycle drivers. The program will come into effect in 2011.
"We're proud to expand the Graduated Driver's Licensing program to include motorcycle drivers," Minister of Crown Corporations Ken Cheveldayoff said. "We know concerns over motorcycle safety are top of mind in Saskatchewan. Last year alone, there were 283 collisions involving motorcycles in Saskatchewan, including five deaths and 221 injuries. We believe the GDL program will help build safe driving skills with our new motorcycle drivers."
Currently, there are no requirements for motorcycle drivers to demonstrate any riding skills to legally ride a motorcycle in Saskatchewan. Residents are able to drive a motorcycle with a learner's licence, with only slightly reduced driving privileges, simply by passing a written knowledge test.
The new program will be similar to the province's current GDL program for passenger vehicles in that it will gradually introduce new motorcycle drivers into the driving environment. Motorcycle drivers will move into higher risk driving situations after gaining experience in lower risk situations.
There will be three stages to the proposed GDL program for new motorcycle drivers - Learner, Novice 1 and Novice 2. As riders pass through these stages, they will see fewer restrictions until they graduate to an experienced "M" endorsed motorcycle licence. If a new motorcycle driver displays good driving experience with no incidents or interruptions, they will graduate to an experienced "M" endorsed licence in 36 months. Any incidents or interruptions will delay this process.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 20 May 2009 )
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