Learner drivers across Ireland seem to be flouting the law regarding unaccompanied driving, but perhaps it’s the system we should blame rather than the drivers themselves.
How do we know this is happening?
A new survey by Aviva insurance has found that almost two-thirds (64 per cent) of motorists have either driven unaccompanied on a learner permit or know of people who do, despite it being an offence to do so - all learners must always be accompanied by a fully-licenced driver.
The Aviva survey polled 1,000 people - 858 of whom are drivers - and found that 28 per cent of motorists surveyed admitted to having driven unaccompanied on a learner permit, and a further 36 per cent know of someone who does. Only 36 per cent of drivers who responded to the survey have never done this or do not know anyone who has.
Is this a thing where men are more likely to risk it?
No - there’s very little gender divide in this instance, with 28 per cent of men and 26 per cent of women admitting to driving unaccompanied while on a learner permit, although oddly, men - generally more considered to be risk-takers - were more likely to have never driven unaccompanied on a learner permit or know of anyone who does at 47 per cent versus women at 31 per cent.
Women (41 per cent) were more likely to have a once-off occurrence of driving unaccompanied when they were genuinely stuck than men at 26 per cent, while men (40 per cent) were more likely to believe that they won’t be caught due to a lack of Garda presence on the roads than women at 33 per cent. Unsurprisingly, the largest age cohort of those admitting to doing so is in the 25-41 year old range.
Why is this happening?
Indeed - one has to ask the question: why, when most people will, within a certain bandwidth, adhere to the rules of the road, are such large swathes of learner drivers sidestepping this particular rule? Well, according to the Aviva survey, the long wait time for driving tests (58 per cent) and poor public transport links (56 per cent), particularly in rural areas, leaving no option other than to drive, are the primary reasons why learner drivers break the law.
Other reasons included a lack of Garda presence on the roads, leading them to believe they won’t get caught (38 per cent), or a once-off occurrence where the learner driver is genuinely stuck at 33 per cent. However, 31 per cent of drivers responding to the survey based their decision on a disregard for or failure to recognise the importance of the rules of the road.
It’s a victimless crime, though. Right?
No, it’s not - this isn’t the small offence it might seem - there are potentially serious consequences for a learner driver heading out without a fully licensed passenger. Commenting on the survey, Mike Kavanagh, the manager of the Aviva Driving School, said: “It is against the law to drive unaccompanied on a learner permit in Ireland. Motorists with learner permits must be accompanied by a driver with a full driving licence for at least two years. Drivers who are in breach of this rule can be fined €160, in addition to receiving two penalty points. The car may also be seized by a member of the Gardai. A further consequence is that the learner drivers are not covered by insurance in the event of an accident.
“While it may cause some inconvenience at times for the learner driver, the rule is in place for a very good reason which is to protect the safety of the learner driver, and other road users. The Road Safety Authority (RSA), the body responsible for the driving test publishes extensive data on the pass ratios for the driving test throughout the country. The average pass rate in this country is 53.2 per cent, highlighting the fact that almost half of those who have undertaken their driving test fail it. This indicates that the drivers who failed their test have yet to reach the required standard in terms of their driving ability. It is for this reason that they should have an accompanying driver with them until such time as they do pass their test and get their full drivers’ licence.
“Those found to be flouting the law by driving unaccompanied on a learner permit are not only risking their own lives but also endangering other road users. Given the high percentage of learner drivers who take the chance of not being caught, we believe more stringent measures are necessary. We urge the Minister for Transport to review the existing penalties and consider introducing larger fines to enhance road safety.”
Maybe we should focus on teaching people better?
Well, quite. The driver training and licencing system has been inadequate for some time now, with incredibly long waiting times to even get a test. However, in the meantime, Mike Kavanagh said: “The reality is that motorists driving on a learner permit who have yet to pass their driving tests may not have the experience, confidence, or ability to manage certain situations that can occur when out on the road. The incident could be weather related, or down to the condition of a particular road, driving too fast, or even the behaviour of another driver. Whatever the situation, it may be one that the learner driver is unable to react to due to their lack of experience.”