Reform of the 'L' drivers system: after husband's death on St Stephen's Day, 2004.

[haminka1]

I was absolutely astonished to read this story :

[broken link removed]

1. provisional licenses are unheard of in the rest of Europe - when will they be eventually done away with?
2. this guy was dui and wasn't breathalysed! why? this should be done automatically after any kind of accident
3. this guy was arrogant enough to accuse the driver he killed for dazzling him with his lights

Is a person's life really only worth € 470?

 

[jhegarty]

1. provisional licenses are unheard of in the rest of Europe - when will they be eventually done away with?

They did 3 years ago.

 

[haminka1]

They did 3 years ago.

surely you are jesting? the reality is diferrent

 

[jhegarty]

In what way ?

€1000 fine now for driving unaccompanied, €1000 for no L plates.


Those fines would be amongst the most serious for driving offences.

 

[haminka1]

In what way ?

€1000 fine now for driving unaccompanied, €1000 for no L plates.


Those fines would be amongst the most serious for driving offences.

considering the number of l drivers sitting in their cars on their own, i don't think so - and yeah, judging from the way they drive, they would be l-drivers
notwithstanding the fact, that l-licence should be absolutely done with, there shouldn't be a place for it in a society with so many cars on the streets

 

[jhegarty]

What system do you suggest replaces the current laws ?

 

[haminka1]

Completely ban l-drivers from the road - either full driving license or nothing
introduce temporary full-licence for the first two years - if the driver gets any penalty point, he/she has to resit the exams
that's how i know it from abroad and it helps

 

[jhegarty]

So no new people get to drive ?

 

[Firefly]

completely ban l-drivers from the road - either full driving licence or nothing
introduce temporary full-licence for the first two years - if the driver gets any penslty point, he/she has to resit the exams
that's how i know it from abroad and it helps

With the exception of those taking driving lessons from approved driving schools in order to pass the test

 

[haminka1]

With the exception of those taking driving lessons from approved driving schools in order to pass the test

well, they take their lessons in designated cars, so that's rather obvious

 

[haminka1]

So no new people get to drive ?

as above -you are learning to drive in a designated car of a driving school, aren't you? once the lesson is over, take a bus

 

[Staples]

as above -you are learning to drive in a designated car of a driving school, aren't you? once the lesson is over, take a bus

Surely they're even more difficult to drive....

 

[Firefly]

well, they take their lessons in designated cars, so that's rather obvious

it's obvious but would be required if such a ban was brought in.

 

[mathepac]

... introduce temporary full-licence for the first two years - if the driver gets any penslty point, he/she has to resit the exams ...

Good idea, like in Oz and NZ, a "Restricted" licence with an "R" plate prominently displayed - no passengers, zero alcohol or other drugs, any driving offence results in loss of licence, special insurance disc, GPS tracker / speed resticter fitted, no motorway driving, no towing of trailer or other cars, etc...

 

[jhegarty]

But we have a lower death rate than Australia and NZ.

Why would you take a model from a country where more people are killed ?

 

[Caveat]

considering the number of l drivers sitting in their cars on their own streets

This isn't always as it seems. Cars can have L plates up for the use/benefit of another family member. Not unusual at all for a fully qualified driver to be driving on their own with an L plated car. I did it myself a couple of years ago.

 

[haminka1]

This isn't always as it seems. Cars can have L plates up for the use/benefit of another family member. Not unusual at all for a fully qualified driver to be driving on their own with an L plated car. I did it myself a couple of years ago.

but you can see if the driver is experienced or a newbie ...

 

[haminka1]

But we have a lower death rate than Australia and NZ.

Why would you take a model from a country where more people are killed ?

how about europe? the standard of driving in the continental europe is much better, take germany - they also have some restrictions for drivers in their first two years and it's working fine and their standard of driving is much better than in ireland

 

[Sunny]

but you can see if the driver is experienced or a newbie ...

How?

 

[delgirl]

There are lots of L drivers out on the roads on their own and they're not parents who have put up an L plate for a family member.

One of my friend's sons, 17 years old, has been driving around since he got his provisional licence on his own and never with supervision.

He drives around town where Gardai are on foot, bicycle and car patrol and has never been stopped although he has an L plate up, is obviously only 17 and is unaccompanied.

Last week, a young female car driver got stuck while trying to turn off the main street in town and a man had to go and get her out of the car, turn it for her and park it so she could get back in and drive on the straight stretch of road. Absolute madness!