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She is still at it!!!

  • 07-02-2008 1:11am
    #1
    Moderators, Politics Moderators Posts: 41,235 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Lets improve safety on our roads by making the test easier for those who mightn't drve as much!
    How do you define local?
    Headcase!
    White to discuss 'two-tiered' driving licence plan
    06/02/2008 - 19:24:56
    Green Party community and rural affairs spokesperson Mary White TD is to meet with the head of the Road Safety Authority, Noel Brett, to discuss her proposal to introduce a tiered driving licence system.

    White has proposed that certain categories of drivers should be allowed sit a restricted test to drive under certain driving conditions.

    "I very much look forward to this meeting to discuss my proposals," said White. "As the date inches forward for compliance with regard to full and provisional licences I believe my proposals would allow certain categories of drivers to be compliant and still allow social mobility, particularly in rural areas.

    "Tiered licences are operating in many parts of the world, such as in Germany, Japan and New Zealand, and it would be a tremendous boost for many isolated rural drivers to have such a licence and still be compliant.

    "I understand that the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey has forwarded my proposal to the Road Safety Authority for deliberation and that the Minister will come back to me when these deliberations have concluded."

    Under White's proposals, drivers would still pass a theory and driving test to obtain the restricted licence, but the knowledge tested would be restricted to local roads and driving conditions.

    Other conditions would be attached in relation to the speed and times restricted drivers are allowed on the road.
    http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mheyqlqlojey/


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,378 ✭✭✭✭jimmycrackcorm


    Tractor driving licence?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,180 ✭✭✭Mena


    This is nuts if you ask me...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,106 ✭✭✭✭TestTransmission


    kbannon wrote: »
    Lets improve safety on our roads by making the test easier for those who mightn't drve as much!
    How do you define local?
    Headcase!http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mheyqlqlojey/

    what a great idea........................................not


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,819 ✭✭✭✭peasant


    wouldn't exactly call it nuts ....

    There are people out there, living in the arse of beyond (often elderly people on their own) who have no other means of getting around than their own car.

    Yes, theoretically they shouldn't be on second and subsequent L-licences and driving alone ...but this being Ireland they just are.

    For years these people have driven the few miles to the shop/church and done no harm ...pretty soon that's going to be illegal and these folks are effectively under housearrest.

    Some restricive solution that allows these people the use of the car to fulfill their basic needs yet keeps them off motorways and main arteries doesn't sound all bad to me.

    At the same time it should be made clear to these folks that they should still aim for their full licence as quickly as possible.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,499 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    "Tiered licences are operating in many parts of the world, such as in Germany, Japan and New Zealand, and it would be a tremendous boost for many isolated rural drivers to have such a licence and still be compliant.
    Where does she get this from? They're not tiered licences, They're normal licences, in as much as you have to pass a full test (which is almost certainly more comprehensive than our own) not some kind of half-arsed 'restricted' test, but there are conditions attached to it for a certain time afterwards, which if broken have repercussions, i.e. go back to square one and start again.

    What a crazy woman. I'm surprised (well, OK, I'm not really!) that Dempsey didn't tell her to just go away and stop being so silly, without giving it some semblance of respectability by actually forwarding it on to the RSA, who probably spat out their coffee over their PC screens when they read it.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,918 ✭✭✭Terrontress


    What about an exemption for cars such as a G Wiz or one of those Piaggios or Ligiers.

    It would ensure that the old dears have a means to get into town but not much more beside.

    I've seen cars with 100cc engines and only 2 seats while in France.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,725 ✭✭✭oleras


    This chick is putting herself forward for the next presidential election...... lmao. Go back to making chocolate missus !


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,465 ✭✭✭✭cantdecide


    God Almighty:rolleyes:Thats all we need more drivers (and government approved drivers at that) on Irish roads with the dreaded 'Im not Michael Schumacher, like' attitiude. I would be more in favour of tougher testing for eveyone. We need to improve driving standards in this country, missy.

    What's next- approved drink driving for alcoholocs???

    We all live in the back arse of nowhere- why don't they abolish VRT so we all have a chance of getting around the country in safe cars if they really care.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,725 ✭✭✭oleras


    cantdecide wrote: »
    What's next- approved drink driving for alcoholocs???

    .

    I prefer the idea that all drink drivers should only be allowed to drive between 11.15pm - 11.45pm. All others could keep off the roads. If you crash your not gona take out an innocent party.;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,094 ✭✭✭✭javaboy


    cantdecide wrote: »
    What's next- approved drink driving for alcoholocs???

    And higher speed limits for people with better reflexes. Get people to come in and play that Bop-it, Twist-It game and if you get above a certain score you can go 200 km/h.

    230205002.jpg


    In all seriousness though, if they start giving out Mass/shops driving licenses to septogenarians down the country when they've had more time than most to get a license, I want the Pale rebuilt.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,900 ✭✭✭✭Riskymove


    oleras wrote: »
    This chick is putting herself forward for the next presidential election...... lmao. Go back to making chocolate missus !

    No she is not!!:)

    Its Senator Mary White of FF thats running for Prez not Mary White Green TD!


  • Moderators, Politics Moderators Posts: 41,235 Mod ✭✭✭✭Seth Brundle


    oleras wrote: »
    This chick is putting herself forward for the next presidential election...... lmao. Go back to making chocolate missus !
    Different Mary White

    Senator Mary "El Presidente" White
    image-1186591116-79863.JPG

    Mary "Lean Green Whinging Machine" White TD
    mary_white_medium.jpg


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 556 ✭✭✭OTK


    kbannon wrote:
    How do you define local?
    I guess the idea is to restrict driving to a certain class of roads. The existing restriction on provisional drivers from driving on motorways is not enforced. Doesn't bode well for the practicality of this idea.
    oleras wrote: »
    This chick is putting herself forward for the next presidential election...... lmao. Go back to making chocolate missus !
    There are two Mary Whites. One's a FF senator, one's a Green TD from Carlow.
    What about an exemption for cars such as a G Wiz or one of those Piaggios or Ligiers.
    sounds like a compromise. G-wiz only does about 80km/h

    Many full licence holders in Ireland have never passed a test.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 66,122 ✭✭✭✭unkel
    Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!


    peasant wrote: »
    There are people out there, living in the arse of beyond (often elderly people on their own) who have no other means of getting around than their own car

    Well if they are not competent enough to drive a car they should consider this:

    Honda_50.JPG


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,091 ✭✭✭Biro


    peasant wrote: »
    wouldn't exactly call it nuts ....

    There are people out there, living in the arse of beyond (often elderly people on their own) who have no other means of getting around than their own car.

    Yes, theoretically they shouldn't be on second and subsequent L-licences and driving alone ...but this being Ireland they just are.

    For years these people have driven the few miles to the shop/church and done no harm ...pretty soon that's going to be illegal and these folks are effectively under housearrest.

    Some restricive solution that allows these people the use of the car to fulfill their basic needs yet keeps them off motorways and main arteries doesn't sound all bad to me.

    At the same time it should be made clear to these folks that they should still aim for their full licence as quickly as possible.

    I'd agree with this post alright.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,465 ✭✭✭✭cantdecide


    Biro wrote: »
    I'd agree with this post alright.

    So you also believe that people should only have to learn to drive properly and be on the roads with your family and friends only if they really want to??? And if they don't want to learn to drive properly- that's fine, too??

    Everyone here, I'll wager, has learned to drive with enthusiasm- if you couldn't give a monkeys about cars and now you were told you can drive after a very mild test, would you learn properly?? Who suffers?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,725 ✭✭✭oleras


    Riskymove wrote: »
    No she is not!!:)

    Its Senator Mary White of FF thats running for Prez not Mary White Green TD!
    kbannon wrote: »
    Different Mary White

    Senator Mary "El Presidente" White
    image-1186591116-79863.JPG

    Mary "Lean Green Whinging Machine" White TD
    mary_white_medium.jpg

    My bad.

    Still, there only wimmins, neither would know anything about cars so who cares.........:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,389 ✭✭✭✭Saruman


    This is a load of crap, as others have said. This country is much smaller than all the countries she thinks has this system, which they do not anyway :D

    At the end of the day, if they are only competent to drive on these tiny rural roads and not have to know how to deal with maniac drivers or dangerous situations, then what happens when they meet a maniac on their rural road or a big accident. What happens if they decide to head to Galway for the weekend.. they would not have a license to go beyond their local rural roads?

    If you are going to drive on a public road, and i include tractors in this then you need to know the same rules of the road, and be prepared for the same situations as everyone else. You should not even be allowed to sit your test unless you have had at "least" 10 sessions with a recognised/respected driving school like ISM or airport etc.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,389 ✭✭✭✭Saruman


    I sent her an email inviting her to let us know more about the proposal. Intersting to see if we get a response.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,375 ✭✭✭kmick


    There is not enough traffic police to enforce it.

    Mary White what a bland boring name. Perfect for president...

    I suggest a network of electronic eyes that monitor all our moves a la 1984.

    Fuzzy Wuzzy was a woman


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,819 ✭✭✭✭peasant


    There is another side to this:

    Fact is, due to a "couldn't be arsed"- attitude of successive governements there are a few thousand (few tenthousand ?) people out there who have driven all their lives on provisionals.

    A certain percentage of these people live in remote areas and absolutely need their car to look after themselves.

    In the old days, they would have had relatives living close by that could take them shopping or to the doctors ... not any more. The countryside is largely empty, everybody darts off to work.

    Now ...which is cheaper to society as a whole...let these poeple do a simple test so that they can get a limited licence to pootle around in their parish ...or... organise (and pay for!) public transport, food deliveries, doctors on call out, etc etc ?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,160 ✭✭✭randomer


    peasant wrote: »
    Fact is, due to a "couldn't be arsed"- attitude of successive governements there are a few thousand (few tenthousand ?) people out there who have driven all their lives on provisionals.

    Are the people who didn't bother doing their test or failed to pass the test (and were issued with a certificate of incompetence) to blame at all here, or is it just "the government" who are at fault?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,819 ✭✭✭✭peasant


    randomer wrote: »
    Are the people who didn't bother doing their test or failed to pass the test (and were issued with a certificate of incompetence) to blame at all here, or is it just "the government" who are at fault?

    It doesn't really matter who's at fault ...the fact is that these people are out there and have done it like this for years.

    Personally I'm not overly fond of old Joes & Biddies doddering around on the roads either, holding everybody up and being general pain in the arse drivers.

    But if this limited licence would keep them off the main arteries and outside of rush hour for example, I guess I could live with it.

    I'd prefer it to some "countryside assistance tax" to pay for the alternative solutions.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 66,122 ✭✭✭✭unkel
    Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!


    peasant wrote: »
    There is another side to this:

    Fact is, due to a "couldn't be arsed"- attitude of successive governements there are a few thousand (few tenthousand ?) people out there who have driven all their lives on provisionals

    And you can't blame these people for never having bothered to take a driving test because the government wasn't bothered to inforce it. But now the government in their great wisdom have decided to enforce it and they've given (just about) enough notice for anyone to go out there and learn to drive and pass the test. Anyone failing the test within the time frame is not a competent driver and should not drive a car. Simple as that.

    They can still drive a vehicle for which no license is required should they decide they still want to be mobile...

    No need for violins there, peasant ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,401 ✭✭✭DublinDilbert


    I think i know the class of driver she is referring to, there would probably be a "special" part to their test which would include double parking in narrow towns, and pulling out of a petrol station onto a national route and driving at 35 mph!!!

    Graduated licensing does work well, in other countries, but its highly organized, and enforced there... Also in graduated licensing you can't just pass the first driving test and stay there forever, you have to pass 2 driving tests, within a specific time frame.

    If anyone is interested in looking up about the Canadian system its explained here:- http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/gradu/index.html

    The best bit about Graduated licensing, if someone comes to your country, and they already have a driving license, you get them to do a theory test, then you put them at the middle rung of the ladder so to speak. All they have to do then is do an exit test to get a full license. So they are licensed by your system, not some foreign license.

    If we can't enforce the current system we have in, there's no way we could enforce another....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,094 ✭✭✭✭javaboy


    A more important issue is the fact that one of the Mary Whites is going to run for the Áras. Why are so many female politicians in high profile positions in this country called Mary. Robbo, Hairnet, Hanafin, O'Rourke, McAleese, Coughlan et. al.

    Is it a hangover from the Catholic Church or what? We don't want another Bloody Mary!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,819 ✭✭✭✭peasant


    unkel wrote: »
    No need for violins there, peasant ;)

    I know what you're saying ...personally I'd still like to fit my car with rocket launchers to blow all dawdlers off the road once and for all.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,094 ✭✭✭✭javaboy


    peasant wrote: »
    It doesn't really matter who's at fault ...the fact is that these people are out there and have done it like this for years.

    Personally I'm not overly fond of old Joes & Biddies doddering around on the roads either, holding everybody up and being general pain in the arse drivers.

    But if this limited licence would keep them off the main arteries and outside of rush hour for example, I guess I could live with it.

    I'd prefer it to some "countryside assistance tax" to pay for the alternative solutions.

    If Joe or Biddie can reach the grand old age of 60 and not have bothered sorting out a driving license by then, it is their own fault and they should be off the road. If they live in a rural area and have absolutely no means of gettin food etc. then they up sticks and move to a town and suffer the resulting economic hardship they brought on themselves. That might sound harsh but you can hardly say they didn't have a chance to get a license.


    And to the people who think that this thing would actually be enforceable and observed by people, you're living in dreamworld.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,389 ✭✭✭✭Saruman


    Look, if they have been driving 30+ years but never bothered with a full license, they have been driving longer than i have been alive. So they should have WAY more experience than i did when i passed my test first time in at 18 (10 years now!). I took 10 lessons when i started and 2 refresher pre test lessons. However they have way more experience driving than me.. so if they are competent drivers then they should be able to pass the test with flying colours. If they can not, then they do not know the rules of the road, and are not competent and as such, should not be driving.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,029 ✭✭✭um7y1h83ge06nx


    Saruman wrote: »
    Look, if they have been driving 30+ years but never bothered with a full license.......

    Good post there, in theory the test should be a piece of p*ss for them.

    I wonder would these be the type of biddies that can end up on a busy roundabout in Limerick, the Raheen roundabout next to the industrial estate and the South Court Hotel, driving around it the wrong way in rush hour traffic! :D

    I kid you not, if I didn't see it myself I wouldn't believe it. Needless to say everyone kept off the roundabout until she sorted herself out!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,389 ✭✭✭✭Saruman


    Or the old biddy i saw head down the slip road the wrong way at the Julianstown exit heading to Drogheda. I crossed the bridge and saw her come aroud the roundabout slowly and head down the wrong way.. i started beeping at her as soon as i realised she was going to head down the slip the wrong way... She kept going. I stopped and kept beeping at her until finally she noticed and reversed back up the slip and i let her go on to the correct slip.... jaysus!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,084 ✭✭✭✭Stark


    peasant wrote: »
    For years these people have driven the few miles to the shop/church and done no harm ...pretty soon that's going to be illegal and these folks are effectively under housearrest.

    There was an accident a few weeks back where some old fella was dithering along in the hard shoulder of a dual carriageway and killed some young woman who had parked there. I've also heard of similar cases where cyclists/pedestrians were killed by people driving very slowly but not reacting in time. A tonne of metal is still highly dangerous even when being driven at 50km/hr.

    Tbh, I don't see what you could cut out of our already rudimentary driving test that wouldn't make someone potentially lethal. Mary White is talking about a "test on local roads", but most people take their driving tests near where they live as it stands. It's not like they blindfold you and take you to a random part of the country, then let you loose on strange roads that you've never seen before.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 294 ✭✭Omcd


    There are I think some old folks driving around out there who have a full licence but have never sat a driving test - I heard a story that some decades ago the waiting list for the a driving test got too long and licences were just given out without having to do the test :eek:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,610 ✭✭✭Padraig Mor


    javaboy wrote: »
    If Josie or Biddie can reach the grand old age of 60 and not have bothered sorting out a driving license by then, it is their own fault and they should be off the road. If they live in a rural area and have absolutely no means of gettin food etc. then they up sticks and move to a town and suffer the resulting economic hardship they brought on themselves. That might sound harsh but you can hardly say they didn't have a chance to get a license.
    Saruman wrote: »
    Look, if they have been driving 30+ years but never bothered with a full license, they have been driving longer than i have been alive. So they should have WAY more experience than i did when i passed my test first time in at 18 (10 years now!). I took 10 lessons when i started and 2 refresher pre test lessons. However they have way more experience driving than me.. so if they are competent drivers then they should be able to pass the test with flying colours. If they can not, then they do not know the rules of the road, and are not competent and as such, should not be driving.

    100% agree. Fúck the selfish bastards.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,610 ✭✭✭Padraig Mor


    Omcd wrote: »
    There are I think some old folks driving around out there who have a full licence but have never sat a driving test - I heard a story that some decades ago the waiting list for the a driving test got too long and licences were just given out without having to do the test :eek:

    Until - I think - the late 60s there was no driving test. You simply handed over your few shillings at the loacal post office and walked away with your shiny new licence! Yet Biddie and Joe etc. referred to above couldn't even manage that!


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,091 ✭✭✭Biro


    Stark wrote: »
    There was an accident a few weeks back where some old fella was dithering along in the hard shoulder of a dual carriageway and killed some young woman who had parked there.

    The old geezer shouldn't have been driving in the hard shoulder, however what was a young woman doing parked there? 2 at fault there. (unless she was broken down)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,091 ✭✭✭Biro


    Omcd wrote: »
    There are I think some old folks driving around out there who have a full licence but have never sat a driving test - I heard a story that some decades ago the waiting list for the a driving test got too long and licences were just given out without having to do the test :eek:

    Ya, but there's no need to bash the old folkes! Chances are your parents or aunts or uncles are driving on one of those licenses, as it happened in the 80's.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,084 ✭✭✭✭Stark


    Biro wrote: »
    The old geezer shouldn't have been driving in the hard shoulder, however what was a young woman doing parked there? 2 at fault there. (unless she was broken down)

    It didn't say in the article what she was doing there. Afaik, it's legal to stop in the hard shoulder of a dual carriageway(but not a motorway), albeit dangerous.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,570 ✭✭✭Rovi


    Omcd wrote: »
    I heard a story that some decades ago the waiting list for the a driving test got too long and licences were just given out without having to do the test :eek:
    The Glorious Day was 11th October, 1979, and the recipients of these licences are referred to as 'Sylvester Barrett's Babies", in honour of the Great Man who made it all possible.
    Anyone on a second or higher provisional on that day was automatically upgraded to a full licence; I was on my first at the time, but I know a few people who 'qualified' for the full one.
    They still get a hard time from their peers for their 'Yellow Pack' licences. :D

    Here's the relevant legislation, if anyone's interested;
    5. Article 29 of the Principal Regulations (as substituted by the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) (Amendment) Regulations, 1969 ( S.I. No. 140 of 1969 )) is hereby amended by the substitution for sub-article (1) of the following sub-article:

    "(1) ( a ) An application by a person for a driving licence shall be accompanied by a certificate of competency... <snip>, unless

    (i) <snip>

    (ii) the application relates to vehicles of Class A, Class C or Class G, and the applicant holds a valid provisional licence in respect of vehicles of such class or classes on the day on which these Regulations come into operation and has, prior to such day, held at least one other such licence.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,672 ✭✭✭deman


    This has to be one of the daftest proposals the Green Party has ever made, and that says something. I thought a member of the Green Party would want fewer cars on the road anyway. This silly woman obviously hasn't thought this through. There are many other ways of getting these older and less abled people of the shops or mass instead of making them a nuisance on the road, yes, I said nuisance, because if they can't pass their tests, then they shouldn't be allowed on the road.

    What has happened to commumity spirit and neighbourly help? I remember my parents having an elderly neighbour (who had no family) and my mother would take her into town to do the shopping once or twice a week. What about the government subsidizing minibusses or taxis to pick up these people at various times during the week?

    And another thing, we can't have another Prez named Mary! People abroad will think it's the only woman's name we have! It's bad enough having two in a row, but three!!!:eek:


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,091 ✭✭✭Biro


    Rovi wrote: »
    The Glorious Day was 11th October, 1979, and the recipients of these licences are referred to as 'Sylvester Barrett's Babies", in honour of the Great Man who made it all possible.
    Anyone on a second or higher provisional on that day was automatically upgraded to a full licence; I was on my first at the time, but I know a few people who 'qualified' for the full one.
    They still get a hard time from their peers for their 'Yellow Pack' licences. :D

    Here's the relevant legislation, if anyone's interested;

    That stupid legislation is the cause of many a death in this country.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,399 ✭✭✭kluivert


    What a way to add more deaths to the roads. If things werent bad enough as it is at the moment.

    Half the people driving now on a full license do not know the up to date rules of the road. This is very clear to see from day to day average driving.

    I didnt vote Greens or Fianna Fail in the last election, looks like my vote didnt count.


    Driving behind a lady (late 40's) coming up roundabout she indicates left and goes into the left land, I indicate right and go into the right lane for the three exit (3 o clock exit). When the way was clear is carried straight forward making me nearly crash to the rounabout and continued to take the same exit as me.

    Greens make me sick. :mad:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,389 ✭✭✭✭Saruman


    kluivert wrote: »

    Driving behind a lady (late 40's) coming up roundabout she indicates left and goes into the left land, I indicate right and go into the right lane for the three exit (3 o clock exit). When the way was clear is carried straight forward making me nearly crash to the rounabout and continued to take the same exit as me.
    :

    Happens to me all the time. Idiots not knowing what a lane on a roundabout is. So many times im cut off because the person in the left goes straight through instead of sticking to their lane.

    I once had to mount the kerb on a roundabout to avoid some stupid woman who drove straight instead of sticking to the left lane.

    To be honest, i think everyone in this country, regardless of when they got their license should be forced to take a driving course, or lose their license. No test or anything.. just take a driving course so they are aware of everything thats wrong with their driving and they can correct it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,401 ✭✭✭DublinDilbert


    kluivert wrote: »
    Half the people driving now on a full license do not know the up to date rules of the road. This is very clear to see from day to day average driving.


    Its even worse than that, the Garda's don't even get any training on the rules of the road, not even a 1 hour lecture in templemore.... The go through the road traffic acts etc, but don't actually mention anything about the rules of the road, its so irish.....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 773 ✭✭✭D_murph


    kluivert wrote: »
    What a way to add more deaths to the roads. If things werent bad enough as it is at the moment.

    i couldnt agree with you more. last thing we need is even more incompetent drivers on our roads holding everyone else up.

    if anything the driving test is too easy and all of a sudden after passing it you are qualified to drive 120kmph on a motorway having never gone half that during the actual test :eek:.

    if you think that the restrictions on these "special" licenses would be obeyed by the people holding them or enforced by the gardai then i worry for you :rolleyes:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,366 ✭✭✭ninty9er


    The woman should be taken in to a fu<king mental institution!!!!

    I didn't want FF to go into coalition with the Greens and to be honest 90% of th people on doorsteps who were going to vote FF were transferring to Labour. The Taoiseach's first preference was for a FF/Lab government, but now we have to listen to Mary "veg-head" White spouting on with this sh1te:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

    The last thing we need is more unqualified drivers on these "local" roads where THE MAJORITY OF ACCIDENTS ALREADY HAPPEN:mad::mad::mad::mad:

    <Rant very far from over!!>

    Pass a test or GET OFF THE ROAD!!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,096 ✭✭✭--amadeus--


    I am strongly in favour of a graded licence system.

    Grade 1 is theory test only. Until you pass your theory test you're not allowed behind the wheel of a car.

    Grade 2 is learner licence. Only allowed to drive while under the direct tutelage of an experienced driver (5+ years of driving experience)

    Grade 3 is would be tested to a simaler standard as the current full licence. For this you are allowed to drive on duel carrigways but not motorways. For 2 years after the test restrictions on vehicle power apply and penalty points are doubled. A ban results in an automatic re-test.

    Grades 4 / 5 would be additional / optionals. First would be an "Urban" test to allow drivers to drive in congested city traffic (Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway city centre, like the congestion zone in London). You cannot tell me that Jacko from Bogholia can do a local test having never seen more traffic than a tractor and 3 sheep and be safe in a city centre! Second would be a mororway test covering the specifics of safe motorway driving.

    All drivers issued with a plastic clip that can attach to your rear view mirror displaying your licence grades. Being stopped by the Guards and not having it displayed is x penalty points. Driving in a designated zone without the right licence is another x points.

    In an ideal world I'd also like to see a compulsory re-test for drivers, something like the NCT where every 5 - 10 years you do a short (15 - 30 mins) with a tester. If you're not up to scratch then they could issue advisories and ask for a re-test. GPS and webcam technology could be applied to all tests (these included) to allow for independant verification and remove the element of doubt

    And I don't buy the social mobility argument. Kids flattened on a Sunday afternoon on a quiet street or road don't care that Mary had to get to Mass. If you cannot drive then don't drive.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 294 ✭✭Omcd


    Biro wrote: »
    Ya, but there's no need to bash the old folkes! Chances are your parents or aunts or uncles are driving on one of those licenses, as it happened in the 80's.

    Er, yes, that's why I mentioned it - a close relation qualified under that and its scary what she still does not know.
    'no need to bash the old folks' - excuse me ? - it was a good while ago so anyone who did avail of it isn't going to be all that young now ! (although I didn't realise it was as recent as the late 70's, so maybe I should have said 'not very young folks' instead:D).


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,570 ✭✭✭Rovi


    Omcd wrote: »
    Er, yes, that's why I mentioned it - a close relation qualified under that and its scary what she still does not know.
    'no need to bash the old folks' - excuse me ? - it was a good while ago so anyone who did avail of it isn't going to be all that young now ! (although I didn't realise it was as recent as the late 70's, so maybe I should have said 'not very young folks' instead:D).
    Thanks! :rolleyes:

    The people I know with these licences are in their mid to late forties.

    The youngest of the people with the licence purchased in the Post Office (for REAL money: Pounds, Shillings, and Pence) would be in or around their sixties now.


  • Moderators, Politics Moderators Posts: 41,235 Mod ✭✭✭✭Seth Brundle


    Its even worse than that, the Garda's don't even get any training on the rules of the road, not even a 1 hour lecture in templemore.... The go through the road traffic acts etc, but don't actually mention anything about the rules of the road, its so irish.....
    A garda needs to know what legislation they are pulling someone for. Also the ROTR are not an interpretation of the law.

    Anyhow, WTF are they serving in the Dáil bar?
    http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0207/roadsafety.html
    Cassidy wants speed limit for foreign drivers Thursday, 7 February 2008 13:05
    The leader of the Seanad, Fianna Fáil's Donie Cassidy, has called for an 80km/ph speed limit to be imposed on all foreign drivers.
    And he said that Ireland should maybe look at switching to driving on the opposite side of the road.

    He said: 'I think that there should be a [80km/ph] speed limit put on anyone coming from another country that are going to use our roads, particularly from destinations where they are driving on the opposite side of the road.

    'And maybe in time we should have a look here in Ireland at the possibility of changing and driving on the other side of the road.'
    Mr Cassidy made the comments during the order of business in the Seanad this morning when a number of senators raised the issue of road safety.
    Jesus H Christ!
    Is he for real?


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