‘Widow licence’ for fine days only

GREEN party deputy leader Mary White, seems to suggest that people in rural Ireland do not need the driving skills we normally consider necessary to hold a licence (Irish Examiner, January 4).

She cites widowed people who might only start driving after the death of a partner.

Holders of the ‘widow licence’, apparently, could drive to church, to the shops, to collect pensions or to visit relatives without requiring any great skill — as long as it doesn’t rain! Another problem area she mentions is that of parents driving children to school.

I imagine that as her party’s Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Arts and Tourism, Women’s Affairs and Community and Rural Affairs spokesperson, she has access to piles of research showing the school run to be a safe, simple activity not needing any driving skills.

In any case, it would only be on fine days during the brighter hours in summertime, when accidents don’t happen. I wonder if this is from the same school of thought that suggests a derogation for rural folk to drive home from their local after a couple of pints?

As a Community and Rural Affairs spokesperson, it is remiss of Ms White to neglect this fundamental facet of rural life in her submission to the Minister for Transport.

Maybe it would help Ms White’s proposals if all city drivers are banned from rural roads during daylight hours, or when it is raining or snowing, when the special sensors issued with the licence would have immobilised all restricted drivers.

These proposals might lead some people to believe the whacko factor is alive and well in the Green party, but Ms White’s only mistake is in the timing — she should have waited until the beginning of April.

Ronan Quinlan

Bóthar tSlí Leathain

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