... Changes to Driver Licensing Laws for Learner Drivers ...

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An Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern T.D., the Minister for Transport, Mr. Noel Dempsey T.D., and the Minister for Justice Mr. Brian Lennihan T.D. have launched Ireland’s third Road Safety Strategy, in Government Buildings, Thursday 25th October.

The primary aim of the Road Safety Strategy 2007 to 2012 (Click here for Irish Version), which has been developed by the Road Safety Authority, is to reduce collisions, deaths and injuries on Irish roads by 30%.

It aims to bring Ireland in line with countries that are considered to have the safest roads in the world, countries such as the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and the United Kingdom.
There are a total of 126 specific measures or actions identified in the strategy which must be implemented by the end of 2012.

The primary actions include;

To reduce road deaths to no greater than 60 fatalities per million by the end of 2012 with demonstrable  downward reductions in each year of the strategy.

To reduce injuries by 25% and develop a reliable database for serious injuries based on data from the healthcare system and insurance industry by 4th quarter 2008.

Implement a Safety Camera Network in the region of 6,000 hours enforcement per month to increase conformity with speed limits.

Increase adult front seatbelt wearing rates from 86% to 95% or better and increase the adult rate in the rear seat from 63% to 85% or better by 2012.

The Strategy also identifies the need to

Legislate for and introduce a reduction in the legal Blood Alcohol Level for drivers.
Review legislation on the issue of drug driving and consider appropriate enforcement options.
Minister for Transport, Mr. Noel Dempsey T.D., speaking at the launch said; “This new road safety strategy is all about saving lives. As a direct result of this strategy over 400 people who would otherwise have died on our roads will be alive at the end of 2012.  Awareness of road safety and of the contribution each individual can make to saving lives is increasing all the time and the best modern thinking is embodied in this new strategy. This Government is committed to ensuring the strategy works by providing the leadership, action and resources to make it work.”

Mr. Gay Byrne, Chairman, Road Safety Authority also said, “This Strategy is a major step towards saving lives. Its proposals, some of which were proposed by members of the public, are backed by national and international research. But I hope the comprehensiveness of this strategy does not detract from one central truth – Road safety comes down to individual behaviour. I can make a difference. I will make a difference. Will you?”

Ireland’s third road safety strategy also contains proposals to radically reform the way people learn to drive in this country. It provides for the introduction of  a graduated driver licensing (GDL) system.

Minister for Transport, Mr. Noel Dempsey T.D., said “The aim of the GDL system is to reduce the number of collisions, deaths and injuries among novice drivers, particularly the high risk 17 to 24 year olds, during the learning period. A total of 17 measures are under consideration that will apply to all drivers with a learner permit. Some measures will continue to apply for the first two years after acquiring a driving licence.”

“As learner drivers are considered to be vulnerable road users and to help improve safety on our roads I am proposing to introduce some of these measures next week. The measures will apply from midnight Monday 29th October 2007 and will mark a significant step forward for road safety in Ireland.”

The main changes are:

The provisional licence is being replaced by a learner permit to emphasise the fact that the holder is learning to drive.

Existing provisional licences will continue in force until their expiry date after which the holder will be issued with a learner permit.

A holder of a second provisional licence/learner permit for a car must be accompanied at all times.

The accompanying driver must in respect of any licence category hold a full licence for the category for at least two years.

From 1 December 2007 a learner motorcyclist must wear the letter L on a yellow fluorescent tabard.

From 1 December a provisional licence/learner permit holder must hold the licence/permit for six months before taking a driving test.

According to Mr. Gay Byrne, Chairman, Road Safety Authority the measures have both “symbolic and practical application.” “The period of time when a driver is learning to drive is of vital importance for road safety. Attitudes and habits formed during this time have a major influence on the way the person drives for the rest of their lives. Because it is essential that learning to drive happens in a safe environment the measures announced today are a balance of additional protections as well as some restrictions.”

There are a number of other changes being introduced also. For more information see the document Introduction of Learner Permit and Changes to the Driver Licensing System and the detailed Q & A document at www.rsa.ie.

The Road Safety Authority has responsibility, in accordance with the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, for producing and formally reporting on the implementation of Ireland’s third Road Safety Strategy 2007 to 2012, which has received Ministerial and Government approval.

A copy of the Road Safety Strategy 2007 to 2012 can be downloaded from www.rsa.ie.

For further information please contact;

Department of Transport, Press Office: 01 6041090/6041091

The Road Safety Authority: 1890 50 60 80

From: http://www.rsa.ie/NEWS/News/Road_Safety_Strategy.html

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