Road Safety Authority rules out curfew for learner drivers

The introduction of a night-time curfew for learner and inexperienced drivers is being ruled out by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) today.

Statistics show 17-24-year-old males are five times more likely to die on the roads in crashes that occur late at night or in the early hours of the morning.

However, the RSA says a graduated driving licensing system for novice drivers is in the process of being rolled out to improve road safety.

"In terms of curfews, we have stayed away the ideas of curfews," said RSA director of road safety Michael Rowland.

"Ireland in its remoteness and its rural areas, we have to be careful not to discommode people."