Tom’s Law: Mother speaks out after ‘beloved son’ Levent was killed three months after getting his P-plates

A devastated Perth mother has called for learner drivers to hone their skills in all weather conditions after her 17-year-old son was killed in a horrific truck crash on a rainy day — just three months after getting his red P-plates. Georgia Cipriano has been left heartbroken by the loss of her son, Levent, after he died on the morning of September 27 in Jarrahdale. His Ford Fiesta hatch collided with a truck at the intersection of Jarrahdale Road and South Western Highway about 8.55am. Mrs Cipriano spoke on Monday after the announcement of Tom’s Law, which is set to mean red P-platers are restricted to one passenger from December 1. The law is named after Tom Saffioti, a 15-year-old who died in 2021 when the car he was a passenger in crashed into a tree. Mrs Cipriano said that while it was a great start at trying to limit distractions for young drivers, it did not go far enough to address their inexperience in driving in adverse conditions. “They need to make it 100 hours over 12 months if they have to; it has to be compulsory like it is day and night, for summer and winter driving,” she said. “Young people don’t understand the difference between driving on a dry road and driving on a wet road. “If he (Levent) had more experience in those conditions, or if that road was safer, he may still be here.” L-platers in WA are required to complete a minimum of 50 supervised hours, including five at night, before they can pass a test for a provisional licence. In NSW, they are required to complete 120 hours, including 20 at night. There are no conditions forcing learner drivers to practice on country roads or in adverse weather conditions in WA. Perth’s biggest defensive driving course companies told The West on Monday they only offered services to P-platers or full-licence holders. Mrs Cipriano, 37, said the roads were so wet there were no skid marks left at the crash site where her son died. He was the only person in the car. “When I read that Tom’s Law was being introduced yesterday, I thought that was the greatest thing ever. I really support it .... but they need to look into (putting learners) through all weather conditions,” she said. Levent had owned his car for a few weeks and was on his way to work when his accident occurred. His mother said he was still cautious about his driving ability, especially since he had only completed the necessary five hours at night. He had been making plans for his 18th birthday shortly before he died, but instead of celebrations, his family was left arranging his funeral. “We never imagined having to bury our child at all. I don’t even have the words; it doesn’t feel real yet,” Mrs Cipriano said. “I hope nobody ever has to go through that again. “Levent has got two younger siblings, one of them is 14 and he said, ‘I never want to get my licence.’ “I’m selling my car because I taught Levent how to drive quite a few times in it, and now I can’t even sit in it.” WA already has a midnight to 5am curfew for red P-plate drivers but will be the last State to adopt passenger restrictions put in place in NSW 17 years ago. The State Government has rejected claims it should have made changes sooner. Premier Roger Cook said in addition to new passenger rules for P-platers, the Government was commissioning an independent review to look at further road safety measures. “(This) will allow us to look further in terms of what other measures need to be put in place to make sure we reduce, as much as possible, the incidents of injury and death on our roads,” Mr Cook said. He said Road Safety Minister David Michael would reveal additional details in due course. “I think it should be an independent review. So we need to see who’s out there to undertake it, and we won’t rush this,” he said. “We’ll make sure that it provides us with a comprehensive understanding of what other measures are needed.” On Sunday, the Government announced the expansion of a safe driver reward program, which will pilot a safe driving course for 750 learner drivers and launch a review of current learner and provisional driver training. It has been a horror year on WA’s roads, with 151 people dying already in 2024. Road Trauma Support: 1300 004 814