A WARNING in the official NSW government handbook for learner drivers, stating that climate change could cause dangerous road conditions due to heatwaves, storms, flooding and bushfires, is set to be removed.

The NSW Road Users’ Handbook, produced by Roads and Maritime Services, tells motorists that changes to climate “due to greenhouse gas emissions” are expected to cause “unpredictable weather events” and driving should be avoided in extreme conditions.

But after The Daily Telegraph brought the climate change reference to the ­attention of the state government, roads minister Duncan Gay signalled that the “political” reference would be cut when the next edition of the handbook was printed. Mr Gay blamed the previous Labor government for the climate change warning being included in a chapter on road safety.

“(The handbook) was produced during the term of the previous government when making political statements was more important than actually addressing real issues affecting motorists,” Mr Gay said.

Climate change is expected to cause unpredictable weather events and conditions such as extreme heatwaves, storms, flooding and bushfires. Driving should be avoided in extreme conditions

NSW Road Users' handbook Sub-type: comment CAPTION: Climate change is expected to cause unpredictable weather events and conditions such as extreme heatwaves, storms, flooding and bushfires. Driving should be avoided in extreme conditions NSW Road Users' handbook

He added it would “be reviewed for the next edition”, which will be produced ­before the end of the year.

An RMS spokesman said the handbook had included a section on climate change since March 2009.

The passages were brought to The Daily Telegraph’s attention by Scott Ferguson, who is teaching his 16-year-old daughter Riley to drive.

He said he could not believe how the government was preaching to young drivers about climate change through the handbook.

“I haven’t been this annoyed since Riley’s old primary school made her sit in scripture class,” Mr Ferguson, who described himself as a “climate evolutionist”, said.

“They should pick a time and a place for a discussion on climate change. It comes across as a big sermon.

“That’s all young drivers need, isn’t it? To be distracted and scared by climate change. No one really knows if Riley is going to be affected by catastrophic weather events in 40 years’ time.”

Page 39 of the handbook states that weather patterns will change and become more unpredictable as a result of climate change.

“Climate change is expected to cause unpredictable weather events and conditions such as extreme heatwaves, storms, flooding and bushfires,” it said.

“Driving should be avoided in extreme conditions.’’

William Kininmonth, the retired head of the Bureau of Meteorology’s National Climate Centre, said including the reference to climate change was “absurd’’ and “diluted” the handbook’s overall message to drive safely in extreme weather.