A YEAR on the controversial P plate reforms seem to be working with a 21 percent drop in P1 drivers killed on NSW roads.

The toughest young driver reforms in the country were introduced on July 1, 2007 under the Iemma Government.

Roads minister Eric Roozendaal welcomed the new figures released.

“While we can never be complacent about road safety and young drivers, I'm heartened to see fatality rates have fallen for red P plate drivers – the main target of the reforms,” he said.

"The young driver reforms were a tough decision – and now the other states are following our lead to improve road safety and help save lives.

“Young drivers are the most vulnerable drivers on our roads but they need to get the message they are not above the law.”

The rules have forced young drivers to change their driving habits and more with some P plate drivers disregarding the rules claiming they aren’t realistic.

The changes have meant L platers have to clock up more than double as many hours compared to a year ago.

They’ve proved unpopular with some parents as well as young drivers who find it hard to clock up the necessary 120 hours.

For neighbours Brooke Lamb and Sharn Thurling the new laws have meant earlier nights and more time on their L’s.

"It's so hard to get the hours up to 120,” sixteen-year-old L plater Sharn says.

"The new rules I think are a little excessive.

“I drive to and from school and not much else because Wauchope is only small and you can walk almost anywhere so it’s hard to work up the hours.”

For eighteen-year-old Brooke the changes haven't had as much impact but she finds the passenger limit the hardest rule.

“With a lot of people turning 18 they want to go into town but it’s hard to get everyone there and back,” she said.

“I was lucky that I got my licence before the new rules came in so it hasn't been too bad on me.

“My brother has to get up his 120 hours which mum and Dad aren’t the biggest fans of,” she said.

Despite initial backlash from teenagers the new rules seem to be working.

Figures compiled by the NSW centre for Road Safety reveal:

- A 21 percent drop in P1 drivers killed on NSW roads after the first year of the new rules – 15 fatalities in the past 12 months compared to the 19 recorded for the 12 months before the reforms came in.

- An eight percent drop in all P plate drivers killed in the first year of the new rules.

- 1690 P1 drivers – about one percent of all drivers – have been caught breaking the 11pm to 5am passenger restriction rule.

14,938 P1 drivers have lost their licences for at least three months under the zero tolerance speeding rule.

- 32,461 P plate drivers have been caught for failing to display their P plates properly.