But new laws will see an end to the age-old tradition of driving around in a V8 or modified car on a Friday night cruise.

The legislation introduced by the State Government earlier last month restricts P1 and P2 platers, aged under 25, from driving eight cylinder, turbo and supercharged, high performance or modified cars.

The laws are now in effect and Port Pirie youths are not happy about it.

Anthony Slattery, 17, of Port Pirie, owns a Nissan Skyline and said the new laws were “just a hassle.”

He is an exception to the law because he owned his vehicle before the legislation was bought in.

But he still disagrees with the changes.

“In a way it is all right to bring in the laws, but as long as people drive sensibly it should be all right to drive any car,” he said.

“My parents always say be careful and behave when I go out, but I am pretty safe on the road.”

The laws will also affect learner drivers, with driving hours increased to 75 hours instead of 50, and will increase the minimum permit time to 12 instead of six months.

The Motor Vehicles (miscellaneous No 2) Amendment Bill 2009 also includes:

* Drivers returning from disqualification restricted from carrying passengers between midnight and 5am;

*A two demerit point penalty instead of licence disqualification for failing to display P-plates and;

*Offering a good- behaviour option instead of the current appeal provision to reduce burden on court time.

The laws are part of the State Govern-ment’s plan to have fewer than 90 road fatalities and fewer than 1000 serious injuries by the end of 2010.