Labour pledges to slash driving test waiting list

Delays in reforming the system of driver testing and licensing is costing dozens of lives on Irish roads, the Labour Party claimed today.

The party today published a 49-page document entitled Driving For Lifethat is designed to overhaul Ireland's driving system, described by Labour's transport spokeswoman Roisin Shorthall as one of the "most lax regimes" in Europe.

The 50-points of the policy, which Labour says it would implement if elected to Government, are intended to help foster a culture of responsibility and safety for drivers in this country.

"Taken as a whole, they will transform the manner in which people are educated to drive and begin to break many of the habits that end up causing accidents and bringing grief to so many families," said Labour leader Pat Rabbitte today.

So far this year, 231 people have been killed on the State's roads, up from 218 in the same period in 2005. A third of all those losing their lives on Irish roads are under 25, with half of all passengers and almost half of motorcyclists killed being young people. This is despite the fact that only an eighth of all registered drivers are under 25.

"Clearly, there is a gap in the learning, testing, and licensing system if such a large number of young people are losing their lives," Mr Rabbitte said.

Some 419,000 people are currently driving on provisional licences. This, Ms Shorthall claimed, was because the Government has failed to adequately prioritise, fund and regulate driver education and licensing. "This has undoubtedly contributed to a lowering of driving standards and a loss of respect for safe-driving," Ms Shorthall said.

In some parts of the country, learner drivers can wait over a year for a test. The delay was not only contributing to a culture of bad driving, but it is costing young drivers money and jobs, she said.

Ms Shorthall said her party would eliminate this backlog within two years through the employment of additional testers, upgrading of the IT system, dealing with cancellations and changing work practices. "By the end of that period, we will guarantee driving tests within six weeks," she said.

In addition, Labour would ban new provisional drivers from driving alone, introduce a three-stage graduated licence system, with a new 'restricted licence' for a year after passing the test and have road safety taught in schools. policy paper on the wider road safety issues shortly.

Mr Rabbitte said learners would be required to take a minimum of 12 driving lessons before and after a test.

Ms Shorthall said Labour would also fund a major study on what she called "the Boy-Racer phenomenon" of young men driving souped-up cars around housing estates at 3am. This behaviour, she said, has created a culture of fear in many communities.