Crackdown on learner drivers delayed until next year

Tough new laws on learner drivers, due to become into law on Tuesday, won’t be enforced by gardaí until early next year.

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey said he understood public concern on the issue and revealed that the Gardaí will take a common sense approach towards using the new powers.

Yesterday’s Road Safety Strategy said holders of second provisional driving licences must be accompanied by fully licensed drivers from midnight on Monday.

Mr Dempsey said widespread concerns were raised about the short notice given to up to 400,000 learner drivers to make new arrangements.

Earlier, Road Safety Authority (RSA) advertisements announcing next week’s deadline appeared in this morning’s newspapers.

But his spokesman said today: “The Minister understands that gardaí will approach each case, using discretion and common sense as opposed to automatic prosecution.

“The Minister believes that sensible Garda enforcement of that type will mean that for an initial period of a few months garda efforts, in the main, will be aimed at cautioning and advising unaccompanied drivers of the new legal requirements.”

The Insurance Federation of Ireland confirmed that the change in law effecting second provisional licence holders will not change their insurance status.