Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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I thank the Chair and thank the witnesses for their presentations. I take on board all the points made, which are extremely sensible. A particular hobbyhorse of mine is the driving test. One day a person is a learner driver with L plates displayed. He or she sits the driving test and can drive on the motorways as if he or she had years of experience of motorway driving. The television advertisements are very effective and, perhaps, something can be done on how we drive on the motorways. Motorway driving is new to us and we are only getting used to it. On the Continent there appears to be a set of rules when coming on to a motorway, stipulating that the driver in the closest lane should automatically pull out into the outside lane to allow one come safely in. That does not always happen here and perhaps it could be included in the television advertisements in the future.

The GPS provides information on one's speed and the location of speed cameras. That is good because one will automatically check one's speed to ensure one is driving within the speed limit.

I refer to the statistics and data on the 92% of fatal collisions. When referring to acceptance of the penalty points system the statistics were broken down as between males and females but not for the fatal collisions. I am the only female member on the committee. Do the statistics show that women have a tendency to drive more safely? I would like that statistic broken down into gender and age as it could have an effect on insurance and how we attest to the safety of drivers on the roads. That is extremely important.