Integrity of driving tests - Safety must be key issue

THE news that a higher proportion of people are passing driving tests taken at private testing centres rather than centres run by the Road Safety Authority has led to a startling allegation.

Des Cummins of the Driving Instructor Register said instructors were worried that differing standards were in operation at the centres.

“Many of our members believe licences are being given away,” he said. Another instructor said it appeared “a legalised amnesty” had been introduced.

These are serious charges and must be either confirmed or refuted. At a time when so much emphasis is being put on road safety we should all be able to have confidence in the State’s testing system.

More than 12,000 driving tests are conducted each week and it is inevitable that some mistakes are made, but it is unimaginable that the driving test has been “dumbed down” especially as the lives of all road users are at stake.