New road safety scheme to reward responsible drivers
Launched yesterday by Transport Minister Martin Cullen, the “How’s My Driving?” programme is aimed at encouraging safer driving practices among the country’s 400,000 young provisional drivers.
Two insurance companies — AXA and Lloyds of London Asgard — are taking up the scheme and other insurers are expected to follow.
Statistics show that people aged between 17 and 24 are almost eight times more likely to be involved in a fatal or serious injury crash.
The National Youth Council supports the programme, saying they believed it aims to recognise and reward the vast majority of young and learners’ drivers who act responsibly on our roads and want to improve their driving skills.
To qualify, learner drivers must take a minimum of five driving lessons from recognised professionals.
Pointing to the 50% failure rate in L-driver tests, Mr Cullen said there was something fundamentally wrong for such a high failure rate.
Aidan Flynn, of How’s My Driving Ltd? Ltd, said: “This programme is an additional support to the ongoing improvements in road safety measures introduced by Government.
“It allows for a differentiation for those who get professional training and promotes an environment in which recurring training and learning is possible without more severe sanctions, like traffic points.”
His organisation had been monitoring driving behaviour for commercial fleet operators since 2001.
“Our stickers provide a deterrent to drive unsafely or discourteously. By taking calls from the general public, who act as our ‘watch dog’, we can identify ‘at risk’ drivers,” said Mr Flynn.
* Contact 1850-354535 or visit www.howsmydriving.ie
