May 9, 2012 9:45 AM
2012 News
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07 May 2012
Operation Learner Driver – 43% of learner permit holders drive unaccompanied http://www.rsa.ie/en/Utility/News/2012/Operation-Learner-Driver—43-of-learner-permit-holders-drive-unaccompanied/
Road Safety is every road user’s responsibility. Tragically 58 people have already lost their lives on our roads so far this year. This is 7 road deaths less than this period last year.
The majority of road users have adopted safer behaviours and played their part in reducing the pain and grief that comes with every fatal or serious injury road collision. With this in mind, we appeal to every road user to once again play their part in continuing with this reduction in road deaths.
Enforcement by An Garda Síochána will continue to focus on high risk behaviour such as speeding, drink or drug driving, non use of seatbelts, reckless driving and use of mobile phones. A particular focus will also be on the Learner Driver. From 2 recent operations targeting Learner Drivers we find that a significant percentage of those are not abiding by the conditions of holding that permit. Of the 2200 drivers checked, 43% (946) were un-accompanied by a full licence holder, and 30% (660) were not displaying L plates. In some cases both offences were committed by the same driver.
Assistant Commissioner John O’ Mahoney said today:
“We appeal to all road users to continue to do all they can in keeping our roads as safe as they can be. Although 7 less people have been killed on our roads, we saw an increase in April 2012 compared to April 2011 (18 versus 8). We must be mindful that any mistake on the road can lead to very serious consequences for all involved. We especially wish to remind all learner permit holders of their legal obligations with regards to displaying L-plates, being accompanied by qualified drivers at all times and motorway restrictions. A recent series of operations highlighted the fact that as high as 43% of learner permit holders were in breach of these conditions. Driving is a skill which must be practised to improve that skill. As a learner you are doing exactly that, learning, to drive. All vehicle owners should also ensure that any learner permit holder driving their vehicle is accompanied by a fully qualified driver and displays L plates at all times. An Garda Síochána will continue to prioritise the enforcement to these road traffic regulations to ensure greater compliance by Learner Drivers. ”
Commenting on ‘Operation Learner Driver’, Mr. Noel Brett, CEO, Road Safety Authority while disappointed at the high number of novice drivers detected welcomed the Garda enforcement of these vital road safety laws, “A learner permit is just that, a permit, it is not a driving licence. A Learner Permit allows an individual to learn to drive under certain conditions, until they are ready to take a driving test. These include, that they be accompanied by a driver who has held their full licence for more than two years and that ‘L’ plates are displayed at all times to alert other drivers to the presence of a novice driver. These laws are there to protect this group who are vulnerable road users by the fact that they are inexperienced drivers.”
“There are now over 2,000 Approved Driving Instructors (ADI) nationwide, registered with the RSA, who are able to provide a high standard of tuition to candidates. They are also providing tuition under the new RSA’s mandatory Essential Driver Training Programme, which requires anyone who received their first Learner Permit since the 4th May 2011 to undertake 12 hours of compulsory driving tuition. Waiting times for the driving test have been cut dramatically and are below a ten week national average and in some places this waiting time is lower. If someone needs an urgent driving test, for example to secure a job, we can prioritise that candidate for a test. Waiting times for a driving test or access to quality tuition are no longer excuses for driving long term or breaching the terms of the Learner Permit.”
“There is also an issue of parental responsibility involved here and I would appeal directly to the parents of young learner drivers to stop turning a blind eye to what’s going on and do not allow their son or daughter access to a vehicle, unless they are accompanied and have ‘L’ plates displayed.”
“It is also worth pointing out that a learner permit holder who is not adhering to the requirements for that licence and who is involved in a collision will be covered for third party liability but their insurance provider may not cover any other costs and may seek to recover costs for the non compliant driver,” concluded Mr. Brett.
A list of over 2,000 Approved Driving Instructors (ADI) nationwide can be found on the RSA’s website.
Commenting on results of the Garda enforcement Mr. Garry Redmond, President, Union of Students in Ireland, said “I am concerned by the number of Learner Drivers who are driving unaccompanied. Such drivers pose a real risk not only to other drivers and vulnerable road users but also to themselves. As a learner driver you simply have not proven that you are a safe and competent driver, no matter how many lessons you have taken. So it’s vital that you drive accompanied by a fully qualified driver whenever using the road.”
Mr. Redmond added that, “the USI is fully supportive of such campaigns by An Garda Síochána to eliminate this irresponsible driving practice and would remind drivers of the consequences of driving unaccompanied. Furthermore we will continue to work with both the Gardai and the RSA to promote road safety on campuses across the country.”
ENDS
For media queries, please contact:
Garda Press Office: 01 666 2030
Notes to Editors:
1. Operation Learner Driver March 1st-2nd 2012
Region
No of L drivers
Unaccompanied
No L Plates
Dublin region
197
85
93
Eastern region
226
125
97
Northern region
137
76
46
South Eastern region
258
94
55
Southern region
204
98
66
Western region
161
56
37
Total
1,183
534
394
2. Operation Learner Driver 19th April 2012
Region
No of L drivers
Unaccompanied
No L Plates
Dublin region
96
63
52
Eastern region
255
114
78
Northern region
137
61
51
South Eastern region
170
53
24
Southern region
274
92
47
Western region
85
29
14
Total
1,017
412
266
3. Number of car drivers on a learner permit in Ireland as of 31st March 2012
Learner permit Count
Number of car drivers
1st
114,632
2nd
67,022
3rd
19,557
4th
12,380
5th
6,470
6th
4,495
7th
3,717
8th
3,007
9th
2,498
10th
1,359
11th or more
848
Total
235,984
4. Provisional figures from An Garda Síochána – Operation Learner Driver March 1st -2nd 2012
Region
NO of L drivers
Unaccompanied
No L Plates
Caution
Proceeding Commenced
Dublin region
197
85
93
111
37
Eastern region
226
125
97
147
35
Northern region
137
76
46
67
9
South Eastern region
258
94
55
69
49
Southern region
204
98
66
68
42
Western region
161
56
37
59
4
Total
1,183
534
394
521
176
5. Provisional figures from An Garda Síochána – Operation Learner Driver 19th April 2012
Region
No of L drivers
Unaccompanied
No L Plates
Caution
Proceeding Commenced
Dublin region
96
63
52
64
32
Eastern region
255
114
78
112
31
Northern region
137
61
51
84
1
South Eastern region
170
53
24
61
18
Southern region
274
92
47
80
14
Western region
85
29
14
27
7
Total
1,017
412
266
428
103
Overall Total from both operations
2,200
940
660
949
279
6. General penalty
S.10219 — Where a person is guilty of an offence under any section or subsection of a section of the Road Traffic Acts, 1961 to 2006 and, apart from this section and disregarding any disqualification that may be capable of being imposed, no penalty is provided for the offence, such person shall be liable on summary conviction—
(a) in the case of a first offence under that section or subsection – to a fine not exceeding €1000,
(b) in the case of a second offence under that section or subsection, or of a third or subsequent such offence other than an offence referred to in the next paragraph – to a fine not exceeding €2,000, and
(c) in the case of a third or subsequent offence under that section or subsection which is the third or subsequent such offence in any period of twelve consecutive months – to a fine not exceeding €2,000 or, at the discretion of the Court, to imprisonment for any term not exceeding three months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
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