Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Tommy Broughan has done a service by proposing the amendments. In the main, young drivers, when learning, understand there is a serious consequence to driving unaccompanied. There is also an onus on us to ensure that when people want to apply for a test, a test is available promptly and that there is a proper insurance regime. Deputy Broughan also addressed the question of the liabilities with insurance. It is important that unaccompanied learner drivers understand they are not insured in any way and that, given that they are breaking the law, they are not covered by insurance, although the victim, if there is a victim, would be.

They must also understand that the car, whether their own or their parents', can be seized. Presumably, a fine or a recovery scheme would have to be put in place to ensure the State was not suffering the expense of seizing cars. In the past, when a car was seized and the owner went to recover it from the Garda station, or wherever it was stored, there would have been a payment of sorts to the Garda, which was forced to confiscate the vehicle.

Far too often, I have been driving around the country and seen people with L plates driving on a motorway. One presumes it is perhaps the father driving, not the son or daughter who also has access to the car. However, on looking through the window one quickly notices that it is probably an unaccompanied learner driver. If I can see this on a motorway, I presume the gardaí can also see it. Not enough is done. Of late, there has been a major campaign to try to encourage learners to drive accompanied.

Progress has been made in recent years in terms of insurance products. If they reduced the price, it would be good. Some insurance products specifically tell people that if they exceed a certain speed, which is monitored by a GPS, their insurance premiums will increase substantially. Other policies are based on speed inhibitors. These will work in tandem with a fully licensed driver. While the licensed drivers cannot do everything, they may be able to steer people or explain where they are making mistakes in their driving. Without this, people will take chances and drive. One of the keys is to ensure that many of those who are driving and who want access to driving tests as quickly as possible have this access. Otherwise, people will chance their arm. At least, Deputy Tommy Broughan is ensuring they understand the full consequences if they do chance their arms.

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