An Garda Síochána has reminded all learner permit drivers that they must be accompanied by a qualified driver this Christmas period and all year ’round.
It is now exactly 2 years since the introduction of the Clancy Amendment.
This was brought in to improve safety on our roads by providing An Garda Síochána with an additional power to seize vehicles from Learner drivers who were driving a vehicle without being accompanied by a qualified driver.
Since the introduction of the Clancy Amendment on the 22nd December 2018 over 5,500 (5,827) vehicles have been seized from unaccompanied learner drivers.
In total, over 12,500 (12,616) fixed charge notices have been issued to Learner Permit drivers for driving unaccompanied by a qualified driver over the same period.
Chief Superintendent Ray Mc Mahon Garda National Roads Policing Bureau speaking In Garda headquarters today said: “We cannot emphasise enough the importance of complying with this legislation. MPVs in inexperienced or unlicensed hands have the potential to severely or even fatally injure someone.
“An Garda Síochána will continue to enforce legislation that will improve road safety for all. Under the ‘Clancy Provision’ Learner or unlicensed drivers who choose to ignore this legislation will have their car seized and owners who allow their vehicle to be used will now face prosecution”.
Background
The learner driver provisions of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2018, commenced on the 22nd December 2018, known as the ‘Clancy Amendment’.
These provisions make it an offence for the owner of a vehicle to knowingly allow an unaccompanied learner or an unlicensed person to drive his or her vehicle.
The provisions also extend the power of detention under section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 to allow the Garda Síochána to detain a vehicle being driven, in the Garda’s opinion, by an unaccompanied learner.
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