Today (September 1, 2010), the Road Safety Authority (RSA) announced nine additional measures aimed at protecting learner and inexperienced drivers. The new rules will update the way drivers are trained, tested and licensed in Ireland, with the aim being increased road safety.
The nine measures are:
1: All new first time learner permit holders will be required to undertake mandatory initial basic training (IBT) with an approved driving instructor (ADI). The course will be 16 hours for motorcycle and 12 hours for car licences. (This is with effect from 6 December 2010 for motorcycles and 4 April 2011 for cars).
2: The role of the supervising driver accompanying learner drivers will be strengthened and the RSA will introduce a requirement for learner drivers to keep a learner log to be signed by their approved driving instructor and their accompanying driver.
3: The penalty points for specified offences will be increased for learner and novice drivers so that accumulation of penalty points during the learning phase and in the first two years on a full licence will pose a real threat of disqualification and will impact positively on risk taking and driver behaviour.
4: A standard hazard perception test will be developed and carried out during the novice driver phase. The hazard perception test will specifically address risk taking and perception of risk among novice drivers.
5: The current driving test will be modernised to more effectively reflect driver competencies and to influence the learning undertaken by learners. The RSA will introduce a new externally accredited driving test format in the last quarter of 2011.
6: Novice drivers will be required to display an R (restricted) plate during the first two years of their full driving licence to support the restrictions that are placed on their licence for that duration.
7: The current Driver Theory Test question bank and supporting learning materials will be reconfigured to make it more effective as a learning tool.
8: The RSA will engage with the Department of Justice and Law Reform, the Gardai and the Courts Service to develop the range and combination of sentencing options available to the courts for driving offences for learner and novice drivers.
Commenting on the new measures, Noel Brett, CEO of the RSA, said "We believe that these measures are proportionate, fair and necessary. I make a particular plea to parents to increase their involvement in supervising their young adults learning to drive. Whilst the mandatory lessons will not apply to existing learner permit holders I do urge all learner drivers to engage with an ADI and undertake structured training. With the support of young people and their parents I am confident that these new measures will make a huge contribution to reducing death and injuries amongst the next generation of Irish drivers not just now but for their driving careers."