AA rejects road safety measures as unworkable

THE brakes were put on stringent proposals to restrict learner drivers on Irish roads yesterday after some of the radical road safety plans were deemed unworkable.

The tough measures proposed by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to curb road deaths include “punishing” learner drivers with double penalty points, forcing L-plate drivers to spend nearly €1,000 on lessons and banning them from driving at night.

While some of new graduated licensing system proposals were welcomed, the Automobile Association (AA) warned others would be hard to police and involved practical difficulties.

Questions were raised about proposals for a zero alcohol limit for learner drivers.

“Some of the ideas that on the face of it would seem to make sense would in fact be very difficult to police and administer,” public affairs manager Conor Faughnan said. Garda equipment was not up to scratch to test for low amounts of alcohol close to zero levels, the AA claimed.

“A zero limit is almost impossible to enforce, not alone do the gardaí not possess equipment refined to a precision to be able to measure levels between 20mg and 80mg but in fact very few police forces have,” added Mr Faughnan.

The current limit for all drivers is a blood alcohol content not in excess of 80mg per 100ml of blood.

The AA warned that “practical difficulties might outweigh the benefit” of policing such a low level of alcohol consumption in drivers when international research showed the real danger was when drivers had 50mg or more in their system.

Proposals to ban learner drivers on the road at night were also questioned. The plans would affect young workers returning from work, it was warned.

This criticism was also backed by the Union of Students in Ireland which said this part of the new licensing system would be “logistically impossible”.

“It presents serious practical difficulties as people in late shift work wouldn’t be able to work,” said president Shane Kelly.

The AA also warned that proposals for restricted use of cars with large engine sizes might see learner drivers completely “grounded” if the family car was unsuitable to learn in.

“A young driver living on a farm might see the family having to change their car for a Micra,” added Mr Faughnan. The RSA released the proposals yesterday while also seeking the views of the public.

Chief executive Noel Brett said: “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.” Safety proposals

Key Road Safety Authority (RSA) proposals for a graduated licensing system:

* A zero alcohol and drugs level for learners: Studies show zero drink tolerance among young drivers reduces crashes, say the RSA. Motorists who use drugs are also 25 times more at risk of serious injury. A new level for learner drivers would be set at 20mgs of alcohol blood content for every 100ml of blood, effectively a zero level when concentrations of products with alcohol like mouthwash are considered.

* Night time curfew: The most dangerous time for crashes last year on Irish roads was between 9pm and 10pm. The RSA notes that a ban on learner drivers internationally during night time hours has seen crash reductions of 40% to 60%. Problems may exist for rural drivers with no access to public transport or those working late hours.

* Increased penalty points: There is an argument to “punish” learner driver bad behaviour more severely, say the RSA. This could mean doubling penalty points for an offence for learners or for a two-year period after they pass the test. Learners might also be given a lower points threshold, for example six points instead of 12 before being disqualified.

* Hazard perception testing: Computer simulated tests for hazards are currently being designed in Europe. The RSA says it will monitor technologies to see if they help learners perceive hazards quicker when encountering dangers on roads.

* Restriction on passengers: This suggests a restriction on the number and/or age of passengers that learner drivers can carry in vehicles. Strong evidence exists, say the RSA, showing peer pressure, particularly among young male drivers, resulting in risk-taking behaviour while driving. The proposal may have implications for passengers having to carry ID. The proposal suggests learners under 25 carry no more than one passenger under the same age, unless it is a family member.

* Compulsory driving lessons: A minimum number of lessons by professional instructors may be required before learners can sit tests. Up to 20 may be needed, say the RSA, which means young drivers may have to fork out over €€800 for instruction.

* Restricted engine sizes/car power: A learner might not be allowed drive a vehicle greater than a 1.6 litre engine car. This could cause problems when it comes to learning in the family vehicle which may be high powered.