More than five out of 10 Irish motorists approve of Transport Minister, Noel Dempsey’s proposed ‘Graduated Driving License System’
Some 55 per cent of respondents in a poll of over 7,000 motorists said they fully approved of the proposal, while 31 per cent said the “somewhat approved” of the plan. A little over 10 per cent expressed their disapproval.
The new system introduces a series of strict measures surrounding the governance of Ireland’s learner permit holders.
“Road safety has improved significantly in the last decade.” says AA’s Director of Policy, Conor Faughnan,
“But appalling events like those in Killarney and Donegal remind us that we cannot let road safety slip down the list of priorities. The new system proposed by the Minister for Transport will provide our young drivers with a better standard of training. Even though proper training has a cost attached to it, it must become an integral part of learning how to drive.”
They need to learn to drive on motorways, in busy towns, and at night, and also be restricted to engine size ie:16 to 18 years. 1000 cc or below 18 to 20 1500 cc or below. 20 to 22 1800cc or below. 22 to 24 2100cc or below.
The test needs to be in three parts.
As it is now a young lad can get a full licence within 12 months and can jump into a 3 litre or bigger without ever driven a big powerfull car, go out at night and around a busy town on out on wet roads, all this could be done in a test centre, with skid pand parking hazards etc and the final part could be done on motorway or by-pass.