The new road safety initiatives launched yesterday by the government and the RSA are nowhere near far enough down the line in terms of what needs to be done. These initiatives still allow for people to be granted access to the national road network without any experience whatsoever. When I started learning to drive first, about 10 years ago, I learned by maneouvering around the driveway at home. When I turned 17, I was allowed to get a driving licence and for the entire duration of when I had a provisinal licence, I was accompanied by a fully licenced driver at all times. Eventually, I was called for a test and passed my test with only one minor error. I have now been driving for nearly 7 years, over 6.5 years fully licenced!
If I can do it, anyone can. Fact is, there are too many people using ‘cars’ as an excuse to not use public transport. These people HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO DRIVE! There is a ridiculous amount of people out there clogging up the roadways because they’re not capable of going around roundabouts correctly, or using lanes in cities or even using an indicator. Most are unlicenced. This is a modern day disgrace.
So, over the next few weeks, lets see how the traffic improves when these people are taken out of the loop. And anyone reading this with a second provisional licence who is feeling sad, take note: YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE TO BE ON A SECOND PROVISIONAL LICENCE! IF YOU FAILED YOUR TEST, YOU ARE UNFIT TO DRIVE. IF YOU HAVEN’T BOTHERED TO TAKE YOUR TEST, YOU DESERVE TO WALK!
Driving is a privilege, not a right! It should only be done by those who have been certified… hence why they call it a Certificate of Competency.
From midnight next Monday:
- Learner permits will replace provisional licences. The same restrictions will apply to those 420,000 on provisional licences as those on the new learner permits. When your provisional licence expires you will switch over to a permit.
- Drivers getting a new learner permit or those on provisional licences must, from next Tuesday, be accompanied by and under the supervision of a person who has a full driving licence for a minimum period of two years at all times. This removes the loophole that those on a second provisional licence can drive unaccompanied.
- The accompanying driver must carry their driving licence. Failure to comply will be a penalty point offence for the accompanying driver
- From December next, a person can not apply for a driving test for six months after getting a learner permit. This is so that they have this minimum period of supervised accompanied driving experience when applying.
- From December, learner motorcyclists must display an L plate.
- Consideration will be given to applying a restricted engine capacity to the cars of learner drivers. This will apply to motorcyclists with a learner permit and for the first two years of a driving licence.
- Reduced speed limit for learner drivers.
- A learner permit holder will be put off the road after accruing six penalty points. This will also apply for two years after getting a full licence.
- Zero alcohol limit for learner drivers while holding a learner permit licence and during the first two years of holding a driving licence.
- Drivers who pass the driving test must display R — for restricted — plates during the first two years of holding a driving licence.
- Failure by a learner motorcyclist to comply with the prohibition on carrying a passenger will be a criminal offence
- Mandatory tuition will be a requirement for all learner drivers. Part of the tuition will be taken with a professional instructor. Learner drivers will have to hold and complete a logbook detailing their tuition.
- Long-term learner drivers must take the driving test and will not be allowed to apply for a further permit without taking a test.
There should also be a complete ban on cars like the Fiat Seicento and cars which do not satisfy at least 4 stars from Euro NCAP. There should be a ban on cars older than 15 years and cars with modifications beyond alloy wheels and spoilers. The Gardaí should be given powers of impounding vehicles from drivers who do not comply with the regulations, outside of speeding offences which are a necessary evil in society. There should definitely be a targetted effort to remove those who travel on the motorways without proper licences or experience and there should also be a ban on anyone under the age of 21 driving a vehicle more powerful than 1600cc with a maximum value of €30,000 euro. There needs to be a root and branch review of how cars are sold in Ireland also, with much more stringent fines imposed on car dealerships for the sale of unroadworthy vehicles of all grades. And an out-right ban on anyone who has children sitting in the front seat.
And if you really want to stop the carnage on the roads, there should be a ban on commercial traffic (trucks, vans, jeeps etc) during rush hours in all cities and towns. If you look back at the statistics again, you’ll see that a very high proportion of road deaths and collisions involve large commercial vehicles. That coupled with a ban on the sale and supply, use and possession of SUVs, and we’ll have a lovely safe place in which to live. Then it’ll be worth having a public transport network.
People must realise that you do not have a right to drive on the roads. You have to earn it. And earn it well.
P.S. Thanks Bertie!
diarmy
