The backlog for driving tests must be reduced from one year to six weeks, the National Safety Council warned today.
Noel Brett, acting chief executive officer of the new Road Safety Authority, which replaces the National Safety Council, said he envisaged a future application system where applicants could book a date that suited themselves online.
Noel Brett, acting ceo of the Road Safety Authority
Mr Brett also told the Oireachtas Transport Committee that the average waiting time should be no more than six weeks. "It is not acceptable, that people are ready and prepared and they can't do it," he said.
Mr Brett also suggested that transition year secondary students should be able to sit driving theory tests. Centres of excellence to promote Irish-based research should be set up in partnership with third-level institutions, he advised.
He said that using driver simulators, like those used by trainee airline pilots, should be considered to improve the quality of driver training in Ireland. "I don't think it's a substitute for the practical driving test, but it could be used to refresh skills for older drivers or incentivised by insurance firms."
Mr Brett said statistics showing that 50 per cent of school pupils don't use rear seatbelts were depressing. "These are the motorists of tomorrow, and if they're not getting it at primary school level, it's hard to bolt it on later.
"I would hope that driving is taught and ingrained from day one, as a life skill for students as citizens and as road users. It is important that we form the right attitudes in early years and maintain them later in life."
The new Road Safety Authority will in future be responsible for driver education, road safety promotion, driver testing and licensing, a driving instructor register, vehicle standards, road haulage and road safety research.