Driving instructors in Ireland have called for the introduction of “big changes” in learner driver training in view of rising number of road fatalities across the country.
“With 110 lives taken already this year on Irish roads, huge changes need to be implemented to improve driver safety – and that starts with how learners are trained,” said Dominic Brophy, Director of the Professional Driving Instructors Association (PDIA).
Brophy pointed out that the current standard of driving in Ireland is insufficient. He further said that the Road Safety Authority (RSA) currently requires learners to complete only 12 hours of Essential Driver Training (EDT) lessons, adding that while additional sponsor hours are recommended, they are not mandatory.
To address these issues, the PDIA recommends increasing the minimum required EDT lessons to 30 hours and making designated sponsor training a mandatory part of the learner driver process, Brophy said.
“Although many people trust their driving instructor and take more lessons, a lot of learner drivers just stop after 12 EDT and then apply for their test,” Brophy explained.
“What happens then? They fail the test, apply again, wait months for the test and possibly in the meantime will have to renew their learner permit,” Brophy was quoted as saying by breakingnews.ie.
This current system, according to Brophy, contributes to the driving test backlog, increases administrative workload within the NDLS, and, most worryingly, keeps low-skill, low-safety drivers on the road.
Despite multiple requests from the PDIA to meet with the Minister for Transport to present their proposals, Brophy claimed they have been ignored. He also criticised the Department of Transport for relying too heavily on the RSA, stating, “The RSA aren’t the ones on the road every single day seeing what we do.”