A Clare Government Senator is calling for controlled driver training facilities, in order to increase the experience of learner motorists before they take to the roads.
It comes as the Professional Driver Instructors Association has called for a “massive overhaul” of Ireland’s driver training system in light of mounting fatal road traffic collisions.
As it stands, learner drivers in Ireland only have to complete 12 hours of essential driver training lessons and hold their learner’s permit for six months before sitting a test.
It’s much lower than the standard in other European countries though; in France learner drivers must complete 20 hours of driver training, in Norway 17 hours is mandatory, while 45 hours of driver training is recommended in the UK.
The matter has come into sharp focus again for the PDIA though, following a tragic weekend on Irish roads in which five people lost their lives in four separate road traffic collisions across the country.
It brings the total number of fatalities on Irish roads this year to 113; a 14% increase on this time last year.
Driving Instructor Chris Curran of Chris Curran Coaching in Ennis insists the lack of motorway training, together with the low level of required mandatory training hours here is not enough to prepare motorists for all situations they will face on the road.
A Clare member of the Oireachtas Transport Committee, meanwhile, is calling for dedicated driver training facilities to be installed to allow for learners to gain adequate experience before taking to the roads.
Tulla-based Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley believes providing a controlled environment is the best solution for young drivers, who might have limited opportunities to practice on the road network alongside a qualified driver.
You can listen to the full interview here:
