Learner drivers and speed limiters
Danny Healy-Rae criticised penalties for unaccompanied learner drivers and suggested speed limiters instead. The Taoiseach said the legislation would be before the House shortly, but stressed the road safety dangers after several deaths involving learner drivers.
The Minister for North Korea, red tape, new regulations and stiffer penalties has made an order to severely punish unaccompanied provisional drivers. They have been waiting for driving tests for long periods. He clearly does not understand what it means to live in rural Ireland where people do not have access to public transport. Would it not be more productive if the Minister had made an order for speed limiters to be fitted to these cars while they are being driven by those on provisional licences? That would have made much more sense. There are speed limiters in lorries and buses and these could also be used in cars. These youngsters have to travel. I firmly believe that a young fellow is entitled to one chance and that every young fellow deserves that chance. If young fellows blot their copybooks, they can be nailed then but not before that.
Comment on this
That is not a bad suggestion. The legislation will be before the House shortly. The Deputy will have the opportunity to speak on it and, perhaps, table an amendment to that effect should he so wish. We should not, however, forget that 13 young people with learner permits, 11 of whom were unaccompanied, have died on our roads while driving this year. That puts the matter into perspective. People with learner permits drive all the time but 11 of the 13 who died were unaccompanied.