John Kelly (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I do not propose to use all of the time available to me or to regurgitate everything that has already been said. I merely wish to make a couple of observations, on which I would appreciate the Minister's feedback.

Senator Barrett cited statistics which indicate that younger learner drivers are not really the major offenders on our roads. As one drives throughout the country on our major roads and motorways, however, one will come across what are termed "doughnuts" on the surface. These are circular skid marks created late at night by certain young drivers. I have spoken to several gardaí about this matter and discovered that they have absolutely no way of catching those involved. This is because they use lookouts to alert them if gardaí are approaching. This is a serious issue but I am not sure whether the type of behaviour engaged in by such individuals has anything to do with road accidents.

As Senator Reilly stated, it is frightening to watch people text as they drive because one does not know whether someone engaging in this type of behaviour has a clear idea of the position of one's vehicle on the road. Another matter to which the Senator referred and of which I have experience in my area is that relating to the gritting of regional roads. For many years local authorities have been selective with regard to the roads they will consider gritting. I am aware of young men in my constituency who, while travelling to work early in the morning, were the victims of car accidents as a result of the fact that roads were not gritted. I know one man who is now in a wheelchair as a result of an accident caused by a road not being gritted. This is a matter of concern and it should not be forgotten in the context of the overall debate.

I would like the Minister to consider what I am about to say about a particular bugbear of mine. I refer to the cost of insurance for young learner drivers. In many instances families simply cannot afford to pay to have their 18 or 19 year old sons and daughters insured to drive their own cars. Many insurance companies also will not insure young learner drivers as additional drivers on their parents' policies. Families are being adversely affected by the fact that their insurance companies will not facilitate their offspring. I have discussed this matter with many parents. In the current economic climate, parents do not have the money to pay for car insurance for their children. Large numbers of young people who are away at college for five days each week may receive motor insurance quotes of €1,500 for the year. In that context, would it be possible to consider introducing a two-tier insurance system? Perhaps those learner drivers who are insured to drive seven days each week could display red L plates on their vehicles, while those who are only insured to drive on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays could display a blue L plate. If such a system were brought in, it would result in the introduction of pro rata insurance charges for learner drivers. As matters stand, many families just cannot afford to pay for car insurance for their children.