Transport chiefs crash and burn in drive test

JUNIOR Transport Minister Ivor Callely yesterday blamed use of his State car for flunking his driving test.

“I might be a bit rusty,” he admitted on Dublin radio station Newstalk after getting the thumbs down.

Mr Callely drove too close to stationary vehicles and on an occasion was “far too close to a cyclist for comfort,” according to advanced driving instructor Paddy Pryle.

The expert tester also handed out fail notes to the five other politicians who hold the transport briefs for their parties in Leinster House.

The six politicians plus radio presenter, Declan Carty, went through the simulated Department of Transport driving test last June. Mr Carty also failed for coasting up to traffic lights in neutral.

None of the seven prepared for the test. “To pass a test needs preparation,” Mr Pryle explained.

It all began when Fine Gael spokesperson Olivia Mitchell took up the station’s challenge to re-sit her driving test and the station roped in the other spokespersons.

Ms Mitchell got docked for taking left turns too wide - and following too closely behind other vehicles. Braking too sharply when stopping also caught her out.

Cycling advocate Eamon Ryan (Greens) got 11 things wrong - three more than would have given him a pass.

Labour’s Roisín Shorthall’s weakness was not watching her left wing mirror. She said she was taking the result as a wake-up call.

“I think we all slip into bad habits. I’ve been driving for 30 years and it’s that length of time since I did my test.”

Progressive Democrat senator Tom Morrissey failed for following cars too closely. “It’s the major cause of accidents in this country,” said Mr Pryle.

Sinn Féin spokesman Sean Crowe was declared worst driver of all seven participants.

“Sean will be the first to admit it,” Mr Pryle told listeners. “Sean can’t drive.”