Carnage on our roads - We must take action

WITH the death toll on the country’s roads mounting by the day, any initiative that may succeed in reducing the carnage has to be welcomed.

The proposal to radically overhaul the driver licensing system, a measure being unveiled by the Road Safety Authority on Wednesday, is such an initiative and urgently needed.

As is clear from the latest statistics, sadly and graphically borne out by two tragic accidents in Kerry and Donegal which claimed 11 young 1ives, young drivers aged between 17-24 are five times more likely to lose their lives on Irish roads. Research also puts the spotlight on the social habits of young people, raising the possibility of a curfew, as almost 40% of 1,284 deaths happened between the hours of midnight and 5am.

Under the graduated licensing system, it will be mandatory for young drivers to undergo a certain amount of instruction before they can get a license.

There will also be a crackdown on L-drivers unaccompanied by experienced drivers.

These are areas where parents can exercise real responsibility and help to reduce death on our roads.