L-drivers should have to take at least two tests

I’M pleased the Road Safety Authority is planning to cut the waiting time for a driving test to 10 weeks by next March.

Then the conditions for provisional licences could be addressed. With a 10-week wait for a test, I can see no reason why a learner-driver cannot take at least two tests in a year.

A second provisional licence should only be issued once it’s proved that a driving test has been sought. Subsequent provisional licences should only be issued if two ‘fail’ certificates for the previous year accompany the application. The penalty points system should be amended, too. If a provisional licence-holder commits an offence, the penalty points and fines for that offence should be doubled.

In addition to this, all occupants of the vehicle should receive the same penalty points and fines.

This would ensure everyone in the vehicle encouraged the provisional driver to take more care. Provision should be made for the confiscation of vehicles if the offences constituted dangerous driving. The practice of allowing a driver with a provisional licence to drive unaccompanied by a full licence-holder is contributing to the number of road deaths.

I would like to see a system whereby provisional licence-holders could only drive when accompanied by a full licence-holder. That person, who should have had a full licence for at least three years, is then responsible for the actions of the provisional driver.

The next step would be to educate fully licensed drivers — many of whom do not obey the rules. Any driver who accumulated enough penalty points to be banned twice should have to revert to a provisional licence.

We don’t have a god-given right to drive — that is why the document that allows us to do so is called a licence.

Mike Higgins

7 Ashbrook

Castleredmond

Midleton

Co Cork