Technology could stop thousands of unlicensed motorists from driving AUTHORITIES should consider new technology to prevent unlicensed drivers from operating vehicles because harsh penalties are failing to deter tens of thousands of people from breaking the law each year. Austroads, the national traffic authority, has released a report urging governments to rethink the way they address the ongoing problem. It describes electronic driver's licences, which double as an ignition keys, as "perhaps the most effective tool for reducing the incidence of unlicensed driving." Police figures show disqualified, unlicensed or suspended drivers were involved in 29 fatal crashes on the state's roads in the past three years. South Australia Police also caught more than 45,000 people driving either unlicensed or disqualified, or with an expired or inappropriate licence in the same period. Austroads - the association of state and territory road transport and traffic authorities - admits electronic licences are a "long-term countermeasure" that will require a lot of work to implement. It wants a national forum on the issue with all stakeholders within the next five years. A simpler version, the smartcard driver's licence, is already in use in Queensland and other states are monitoring its effectiveness. RAA spokesman Charles Mountain said the technology would take a lot of work. "In principle, it's certainly something worth further investigation," he said. It's one of those ideas that would probably eventuate with smartcards being used more. I think the idea of the card linking to the car is a long way off and requires a lot of work from vehicle manufacturers. Motor Accident Commission spokeswoman Sharon Hanlon said unlicensed drivers were the cause of much road trauma. "Unlicensed drivers and riders are known to have higher-than-average crash rates," she said. Loss of licence is the usual deterrent to continuing to offend but is obviously ineffective for those drivers and riders who have a complete disregard for the law. A Transport Department spokeswoman said the technology "showed potential" but needed refinement.