ZERO ALCOHOL levels, night-time curfews and increased penalty points are among the proposals to be considered under a planned new licensing system for learner drivers.
A consultation process on the graduated driving licensing (GDL) system has been initiated by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), with the public asked to submit their views on the proposals.
The scheme is aimed at reducing the rate of collisions, deaths and injuries among learner drivers, particularly among 17- to 24-year-olds. A number of other countries, including Australia, New Zealand, the US and Canada, have similar systems in place.
Fine Gael claimed yesterday the proposals would be undermined by cuts in Garda overtime.
If the proposals are implemented, the new legal limit for blood alcohol for learner drivers would be lowered from 80mg per 100ml to 20mg, to allow for the presence of alcohol in small concentrations in everyday products such as mouthwash. The RSA says previous studies have shown that zero alcohol laws decrease crashes in young drivers.
Also up for consideration are increased penalty points for learners, age restrictions on passengers and mandatory tuition. New drivers could also find themselves subject to restrictions on the power of the cars they can drive, hazard perception testing and an upgraded driving test.
The new proposals could mean the penalty points threshold for disqualification would be lowered from 12 to six for new drivers. The RSA hopes this will discourage new drivers from taking risks on the roads.
Currently, power restrictions apply to those with learner permits to drive motorcycles. The RSA is proposing that it be extended to cars, although it did acknowledge that more advanced safety features, such as electronic stability, are more often found on higher-powered cars.
Chief executive of the RSA Noel Brett said the introduction of the GDL played an important part in the Government’s Road Safety Strategy 2007 to 2012.
“Learner drivers are vulnerable road users and face greater risks and challenges due to their inexperience. Evidence suggests that the best way to reduce risk is to introduce measures that are designed to protect them until they have built up enough experience behind the wheel,” he said.
The restrictions imposed on inexperienced drivers under GDL systems usually apply for up to two years after passing a driving test.
Fine Gael’s road safety spokesman Shane McEntee said the reduction in Garda overtime would have a negative effect on the plans.
He also highlighted the implementation of mandatory breath testing at accident scenes.
“This was promised by the Government in October 2007 when it performed a dramatic U-turn on the issue, but the necessary legislation has never been put in place,” he said.
The RSA is accepting submissions on the proposal until March 14th.
