And's he's also against a call to keep learner drivers off major highways. mooted by the founder of the Port Macquarie-based Driver Education Program 'Power of Choice', Barry Hacker.

“While both ideas were superficially attractive, neither will reduce the road toll in NSW,” Mr Fraser said.

“What is required is a combination of driver education programs that teach novice drivers, not only the dangers of driving a motor vehicle, but also how to drive a motor vehicle under all conditions, and the upgrading of all highways and major roads to divided dual carriageways.

“I have driven in Europe where autobahns have either no speed limit, or allow drivers to drive at much higher speeds than the 110km/h limit set in NSW.

“I believe their system works very well, but it works well because drivers are properly educated to keep left at all times, especially after overtaking a slower vehicle, thus leaving the overtaking lane for faster vehicles at all times.”

“When driving in NSW you see numerous road signs, which state ‘keep left unless overtaking – penalties apply’, but these laws never seem to be implemented, as any trip on the F3 between Newcastle in Sydney or the Hume Highway will demonstrate.”

Mr Fraser said the law was not enforced and not properly taught during driver instruction programs.

"Keeping learner drivers off major highways means that when novice drivers first obtain their licences they would be totally inexperienced in handling heavy traffic conditions on the highways, which I believe, would lead to more accidents," he said.

"What should happen with learner drivers is they be given compulsory driver education, such as the highly successful Power of Choice Program conducted on purpose-designed and constructed driver education ranges, which would allow them to be instructed to such a level that they are able to travel at the nominated speed limits on all major roads when they obtain their licence.

"This would save novice drivers holding up other traffic on major roads and causing frustration to fellow motorists.”

Mr Fraser said a combination of increased speed limits, proper policing and an increased driver education regime, would assist in reducing the road toll.

"However, the first priority must be bringing our highways up to the standard that is equivalent to major roads in Europe," he said.

"Until this multi-faceted approach is implemented by the government, keeping learner drivers off highways and increasing speed limits would, I believe, be a recipe for disaster."