Slaphead - do you think it is acceptable that certified incompotent drivers (who have been tested - and failed) are allowed to continue driving on our public roads. This law is not unfair - it is common sense. Surely the testing system has to mean something. How do people who can't afford a car or are under 17 get by? They have to make alternative arrangements. I agree public transport is nowhere near where it should be, but this doesn't give us the right to ignore the safety of the general public (and a person who has failed an exam for compotence in driving must be some danger).
Until such a time as other options are available then the law should never have been changed. I presume a "right to transport" or something is pretty high up on most people's list of rights.
Can you imagine being single and living in the country, what do you do until you get your licence? Walk from A to B? Bearing in mind the roads arnt even suitable for walkers!
My solution to this whole mess would be to allow a period of dispention, allow ppl apply for the right to drive unaccompanied to nearest town, within a 20 mile radius of home etc. Also crack down extra hard on them for speeding etc. In 20 yrs time the law might suit Ireland, but not at the moment. Like i said i lived with it in Sweden for 11 yrs, the law is fine, just not suitable for here.
My solution to this whole mess would be to allow a period of dispention
Slaphead, I agree with you totally about the lack of public transport and poor quality of service we do have, but quite simply anyone who fails a few tests cannot be deemed to be a safe driver regardless of what they need the car for. Any moron can get into a car and make it go, and at such a speed that it kills or seriously injures someone and cause grief for so many people as a result. And I’m not getting on my high horse, I bought a car at 17 and drove it around on a provisional, however I passed my test on my second attempt at 18, and after 2 crashes (minor, rear ending stuff). Looking back I was sorry that the current clamp down was not in place then as it would have saved me financially as I paid up to avoid higher premiums. The fact remains that no learner driver should be driving without a competent fully licensed driver. Learner driver have more minor bumps and near misses that are not recorded statistically as they are just “settled” mutually between the 2 parties.
I agree, the law is fair and common sense, the law isnt the problem. Very few ppl in this country cant afford a car and u17's usually have parents to drive them and their travel needs are rarely as pressing or as frequent as a working 18yr old.
How is an 18 yr old who just did his leaving and lives at home and just got a new job in a shop 20 miles a way going to get to work every day? Mammy works 20 miles the other direction, theirs no bus? Simple, he'll have to stay at home, draw the dole.
Erm...did we not just do this?
Until such a time as other options are available then the law should never have been changed.
Or live nearer his/her job - as an alternative. Jobs don't always come to people, some people go to the jobs
Surely there has to be some element of individual responsibility? Why did such drivers not apply for their tests? Did they intend on driving without a full licence indefinitely?
What if it's only for a few months? Or they cant afford it?
Or live nearer his/her job - as an alternative. Jobs don't always come to people, some people go to the jobs
Quote: I know a lad at work, foreign chap who has failed his test a few times and now has to drive illegaly the 50 mile trip to work. What other option does he have? There is no bus, we cant car pool as we all finnish different times and irregular shifts, weekends, nights etc.
He could also live closer to his job.
Could they not rent for a couple of months. I can't break the laws and endanger people just because it suits me. Other people can't either.
Correct, the inference has been that L Plate drivers would just remove plates and continue driving, not in this case.If the car is sitting there - would this not suggest that they are not driving unnaccomonied
He's making arrangements to do so, but he's got 5 kids and bought a house where he is and in the current climate it will take him a while to sell it. He's putting in overtime to cover the €1000 fine if and when it comes!
Could he not use the €1000 he is saving to pay for rent, pay for taxi's to take him to public transport - bus, train etc
failed his test several times since.
failed His Test Several Times Since.
Posters seem to be complaining because they're not allowed to break the law any more! This country is crazy!
And someone asked a good question earlier and I'm not sure if it was answered. What do people do when they can't afford a car? How do they manage? Maybe they should be allowed to steal a car then because there's no public transport and they need it to get to work. We could ask the Gardai not to enforce the whole "theft" thing.
I await the backlash... ;0)