Gardai could be given power to seize vehicles driven by unaccompanied learner drivers

New legislation that would give gardai the power to seize vehicles being driven by unaccompanied learner drivers is to be considered by Minister for Transport Shane Ross, according to reports.

Several road safety groups, including PARC (Promoting Awareness Responsibility and Care on our Roads), have spoken of their concern in relation to the number of serious collisions involving learner drivers in recent times.

PARC, headed by Cork farmer Noel Clancy, is seeking tougher enforcement in relation to the regulations surrounding learner drivers.

Mr Clancy’s wife and daughter were killed when they drowned after the vehicle they were travelling in was struck by another vehicle, sending it into a flooded ditch in 2015.

The driver of the other vehicle was on a learner permit at the time and was travelling unaccompanied.

In reply to a Dail question last week in relation to whether or not gardai had the powers required to clampdown on unaccompanied learner drivers, Minister Ross said: “Currently gardai have the power to detain vehicles in a number of circumstances such as where the vehicle is untaxed, uninsured or does not have an NCT.

“An extension of this power to cover vehicles being driven by unaccompanied learners would require an amendment to Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act, 1994.

“I would like to advise that this is something that I am willing to consider in the context of future road traffic legislation.”

A spokesperson from road safety group PARC said that at the moment unaccompanied learner drivers currently stopped by gardai can be charged for driving unaccompanied, but are then let continue on their journey, again driving unaccompanied.