David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

I am pleased to make a contribution on the Bill and that the Minister of State with responsibility for driving standards is present. It is probably one of the most important subjects we can discuss in the House. It is a matter of life and death and absolutely essential that we all work together to ensure regulations are in place to considerably improve the standard of driving.

The standard of driving in Ireland is appalling. People from other countries have said this to me and are flabbergasted at how bad it is. Very often young people are blamed — we are familiar with the statistics in this regard — but none of us is innocent of driving to a poor standard. For instance, many do not know how to negotiate a roundabout properly. In addition, many of the markings on roundabouts are very confusing. When the Minister of State is in Cork, he might encounter some roundabouts which are such that one does not know where one is. Some are extremely dangerous. Road markings need to be very clear in this regard.

Colleagues have spoken about road signs and the need to ensure they are adequate and located such that motorists are adequately warned that there is a turn-off ahead. Often one finds a sign on or beyond a turn-off, which is crazy.

Let me address another matter concerning road safety and driving standards. It is very hard to drive along a country road if hedgerows are almost meeting at its centre. On the last occasion we spoke on a related Bill I asked the Minister of State to consider this matter, particularly in the light of the growth rate of hedgerows at this time of year. Pedestrians are forced to walk in the middle of the road. Cars are also forced to drive in the middle. I know issues arise regarding wildlife, for example, but it is most important that hedgerows are cut to ensure roads are visible, especially around towns and because we are encouraging people to walk and cycle.

I know many parents who will not let their children out on the roads in the countryside because they are too narrow and the hedgerows are growing out to the middle. Children are not allowed to cycle — rightly so — because it is too dangerous. Walkers also have major problems, especially around towns. The Minister of State should consider providing for one-way systems near towns whereby some roads could be designated for cyclists and walkers in consultation with the relevant local authorities. Perhaps he will talk to representatives from local authorities and consult local people to determine whether this would be possible but it should be considered.

We can talk all we like about driving standards and testing but if the roads are unsafe for various reasons, the best driver in the world can have an accident. If he or she goes around a corner and meets a pedestrian or an oncoming car at a point on the road where the briars are growing out to the middle, he or she has nowhere to go.

I have two young men at home who are starting to drive. Therefore, I have a vested interest in this matter. One is almost 20 years of age and the other is just over 17. Even the smallest of cars nowadays are high-powered and can travel at high speeds. When I drive with my lads, I repeatedly tell them to slow down and take it easy. I am thankful they are beginning to listen. Unfortunately, however, many young people do not listen and drive far too fast.

I am very concerned about the fad among young people of buying older cars and spending considerable time and money souping them up. If one drives around, especially in my area which is to be found not too far from that of the Acting Chairman, Deputy Sherlock, one will find doughnut shaped marks on the road. People seem to be driving at high speed and, on approaching crossroads, pulling the handbrake such that the car spins and the tyres produce black rings on the road in the shape of doughnuts. I do not know if the Minister of State who is very experienced and knowledgeable on most matters has ever seen them. It is very scary to see drivers engaging in this practice.

Certain drivers are attaching a device to the exhaust pipes of their cars to increase the noise levels. It is quite intimidating to hear such a car approaching, especially on a narrow road. The Minister and the Garda should investigate these noise emitters. They should be removed and not allowed to be used. They have no purpose, especially on a souped up car. The noise of cars should be kept below a certain level for everybody's sake.

It is not right that engines are placed in small cars which are more powerful than the original engines. I believe this is illegal, although I stand to be corrected. The traffic corps should start examining the engines of suspect cars to determine whether they have been souped up or changed or whether they are much more powerful than they should be. The purpose of the Bill is to provide for the establishment of the driver testing and standards authority, which will have primary responsibility for the delivery of the driver testing service. Other functions will include the testing and control of driving instructors and vehicles. It is important that instructors are properly trained and registered. They should be taught how to teach people to drive. As a former teacher, I recognise that teaching is a craft. Some of the current teachers are extremely good and others are not. Therefore I welcome the measure.

The Bill also covers outsourcing, the establishment of subsidiaries and participation in companies, as well as the making of a service agreement between the authority and the Minister, which will set out the functions and tasks to be carried out and performance targets. The Bill places a duty on the authority to promote, develop and improve driving standards and to conduct its business at all times in a cost effective and efficient manner, which is to be expected. The authority will receive policy direction from the Minister for Transport and produce an annual report. This is all fairly standard.

I welcome this Bill and the establishment of the authority, which will have some control over the driver testing system. It will also be charged with the development and improvement of driving standards, including the issuing of driving licences, testing of vehicles and regulation of driving instructors.

Unfortunately, except for sections 4 and 6, the Bill makes little provision for how all of this will be achieved. Everything else appears to be standard. Sections 4 and 6 are the meat of the Bill and deal with the issuing of driving licences, vehicle testing, regulation of driving instructors and the regulation of mechanically propelled vehicles. The Bill is vague on what it will do. The authority will promote development and improvement of driving standards and, with regard to this, it may make such recommendations to the Minister as it considers appropriate.

We should seriously consider the introduction of advanced driving courses, which are crucially important. I spoke on this matter previously as a result of speaking to an experienced professional driver. He believed he was a good driver until he did an advanced driving course and discovered that he was not half as good as he thought. When professional people from the UK sat with him and taught him how to drive according to advanced standards he discovered his mistakes and the ways in which he could improve his driving. He was a professional driver and on the road every day but he welcomed the opportunity to do the course. Perhaps the Minister should enter into discussions with insurance companies so that anybody who does such a course gets some form of a reduction.

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