Learner drivers “discriminated” against by new laws

A PETITION by a Lisselton man to remove the controversial RSA Advert, which focuses on a car accident involved an unaccompanied learner driver, has garnered almost 13,000 signatures.

The RSA ad is part of the ‘Crashed Lives’ campaign and features the voice of Noel Clancy, who lost his wife and daughter in a crash involving an unaccompanied learner driver in 2015. The advert has attracted much ire from the public and has been the topic of debate online and on national radio and television.

Leigh Fitzell (22) is leading a campaign in Kerry and claims that the advert doesn’t “truthfully show learner drivers”.

“We don’t’ want safety abandoned, but young people also need to learn to drive,” he said.

The current rules mean that young drivers have 12 mandatory lessons before their driving test and must be accompanied at all times until they get a full licence. The rule is difficult for young learners, says Leigh, as parents are often working and unable to accompany them.

Lessons are also costly, and the waiting times for driving tests mean that young people are “being discriminated against”, he feels.

Leigh was convicted for driving unaccompanied, which led to him getting penalty points, a fine and an increase in his insurance premium which nearly put him off the road. He feels, however, that he had no choice but to drive unaccompanied.

“I had to drive. I was working and I live six miles from public transport, and that wouldn’t have got me to work anyway,” he said. “It is rural Ireland; what was I supposed to do? I wanted to work and not be on social welfare.”

He believes that the new learner driver regulations known as the Clancy Amendment – now even stricter than when Leigh learned to drive as they allow for the seizure of cars and a fine for the car owner who allows someone to drive accompanied – are forcing emigration, destroying rural Ireland and indicative of what he feels is the Government’s removal from young people. He believes that driving should be part of the school curriculum.

“It would cost the taxpayer money, but I don’t think anyone would mind. It is a no-brainer,” said Leigh.

Cllr John Francis Flynn also believes that the new learner drive regulations are too restrictive.

“It is typical of this Government to pick an easy target. Young people are an easy target. This is going to cause emigration. No-one can get their mother or father to drive to work with them,” he said.

Kerry County Council wrote to Minister Ross on foot of a motion by Cllr Flynn but got no reply.

Following another motion last month by the Killorglin councillor, they have voiced their concerns again about the driving regulations.

“I know people driving all their lives, who have never had an accident but who can’t pass the test,” he said.

Photo by Sinead Kelleher Leigh Fitzell (right), who has raised concerns over an RSA ardvertisement, pictured with Cllr John Francis Flynn.