Speaking today in the Assembly, the Minister said that measures, such as the proposed graduated driver licensing (GDL) scheme, are needed to help prevent more tragic deaths.
More than a quarter of all drivers killed or seriously injured from 2001-2005 were aged 17 – 24 years. Newly qualified drivers were responsible for 7% of fatal or serious collisions in the same period, though they account for only about 1.5% of licence holders.
The minister said: “Young and inexperienced drivers are over-represented in road traffic collisions, and while we already have a scheme of restrictions for learner and restricted drivers, there is much more that can and should be done.”
According to the minister, the proposals currently being considered include: changing or abolishing the 45 miles per hour speed limit for “L” and “R” drivers; restrictions on night-time driving; and restrictions on the age and/or number of passengers which can be carried. Also under review is a lower drink drive limit for learner and restricted drivers.
“The measures we will be consulting on will help to reduce risk exposure among novice drivers during the period immediately after the test, which is the most dangerous period for new drivers. There is a considerable amount of evidence available on the success of GDL in other countries and we are keen to draw on best practice elsewhere in our efforts to improve our road safety record.”
The minister stated that a consultation, including a shortlist of proposed measures for newly-qualified drivers, is currently being drafted and will issue within the next few months.
Notes to Editors:
- The Department of the Environment is reviewing the current arrangements for learner (“L”) and restricted (“R”) drivers with a view to consulting on a scheme of graduated driver licensing for Northern Ireland.
- Northern Ireland driving regulations already contain some elements of GDL including:
- display of “R” (restricted) plates for a year after passing the driving test;
- a 45mph restriction on “R” (and “L”) drivers, limiting their exposure to higher speeds; and
- more severe penalties for newly qualified drivers committing traffic offences - new full licence holders who receive six or more penalty points within the first two years of passing the driving test have to surrender their licences and re-sit both tests (theory and practical).
- Over 90% of R drivers involved in road traffic collisions from 2001 – 2005 were aged 17 – 24 years. In the same period, over 21% of the car drivers who became casualties in road traffic collisions were aged between 17 – 24 and approximately the same percentage of passengers killed belonged to this age group. More than a quarter of all drivers killed or seriously injured were also aged 17 – 24 years. R drivers were responsible for almost 7% and L drivers 3.5% of fatal or serious collisions during this period. R and L drivers represent approximately 1.5% and 2% of the driving population respectively.
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