Proposed night time curfew for young drivers requires careful consideration
Avoid using a sledgehammer to crack a nut - proposals in the Graduated Driving Licensing System require further examination
The National Youth Council of Ireland welcomes the Road Safety Authority (RSA) consultation on the Graduated Driving Licensing System for learner drivers. The proposals if implemented would represent a radical overhaul of the existing regime and given that there are approximately 300,000 learner drivers it is vital that any changes made are effective, enforceable and proportionate.
“The most radical proposal in the system is the possible introduction of night time curfews for learner drivers from 10pm to 6am. If implemented this would have serious consequences for young people who need to drive to get to work or to attend education and training outside of normal working hours. In the absence of a regular and reliable public transport system outside of major urban areas, this proposal could undermine the lives and livelihood of thousands of young people,” commented James Doorley, Assistant Director at National Youth Council of Ireland.
Common features of the Graduated Driving Licensing System (GDLS) includes zero alcohol limits, restrictions on passengers and engine size, accelerated penalty points, enhanced driving tests, compulsory driving lessons and in some cases night time curfews on young/learner drivers. It has been introduced in many states in the US, Canada, and Australia in the last decade. While it is good to learn from the experiences in other countries, it is also important that take into account the economic, social and transport situation in Ireland as well. Some of the countries where the system has been introduced allows young people to drive at age 15, whereas you have to be 17 in Ireland to drive a car, so the age profile is different and that needs to be considered.
“We are opposed to the idea that any restrictions such as night time curfews would only apply to learner drivers under 25 years of age and not to the majority of learner drivers who are over that age. This in our view would not only create confusion for the Gardai and resentment among young drivers, but would also be unconstitutional. Article 40.1 of the Constitution states that “All citizens shall, as human persons, be held equal before the law” and therefore one group of learner drivers cannot be treated differently to others on the basis of age. In addition we are concerned that a blanket night time curfew could result in learner drivers never having the experience of night time driving until they qualify, which creates safety issues further down the road,” Mr. Doorley explained.
“Taking all this into account, we would urge the Government to proceed with the proven measures to reduce road deaths and collisions such as the reduction in the blood alcohol limit, introduction of more speed cameras, and a revised driving test. In relation to some of the other RSA proposals, further work is required. In our view it is vital that we do not punish the vast majority of young drivers for the dangerous behaviour of a small number of problematic drivers with ill thought out and unenforceable policies,” he concluded.
ENDS
NYCI's submission to the RSA Consultation process is available here
For further information, please contact Clodagh O’Brien, Communications Officer at the NYCI on 087 781 4903 or 01 425 5955 or email communications@nyci.ie
Notes to Editors:
National Youth Council of Ireland
The National Youth Council of Ireland is a membership-led umbrella organisation that represents and supports the interests of 55 voluntary youth organisations and uses its collective experience to act on issues that impact on young people.