I propose to take Questions Nos. 180, 183 and 184 together.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that 'Operation Learner Driver ' is a specific Garda operation which is conducted regularly with a particular focus on ensuring compliance with all the conditions of holding such a permit, as well as improved road safety generally. I am informed that the Garda authorities will conduct one such operation per quarter during 2014, in addition of course to other ongoing road traffic enforcement operations generally.
Table 1 sets out the information provided by the Courts Service as sought by the Deputy in relation to drivers holding a provisional learner driver permit who were summonsed to court in 2012 and 2013 in respect of the offence of failing to display 'L' plates on a vehicle. The information provided includes persons summonsed to court arising from 'Operation Learner Driver' and other ongoing Garda road traffic enforcement activity.
Table 1: Provisional Learner Driver failing to display 'L' plates on a vehicle
Year
|
No. of drivers summonsed to court
|
No. of drivers convicted
|
Average fine imposed
|
No. of drivers where maximum fine imposed
|
2012
|
2,628
|
585
|
€137.29
|
1
|
2013
|
2,611
|
584
|
€123.18
|
None
|
I am further informed that Table 2 sets out the information sought in relation to drivers holding a provisional learner driver permit who were summonsed to court in 2012 and 2013 in respect of the offence of driving while unaccompanied by a qualified driver. As above, the information provided includes persons summonsed to court arsing from 'Operation Learner Driver' and other ongoing Garda road traffic enforcement activity.
Table 2: Provisional Learner Driver driving while unaccompanied by a qualified driver
Year
|
No. of drivers summonsed to court
|
No. of drivers convicted
|
Average fine imposed
|
No. of drivers where maximum fine imposed
|
2012
|
2,954
|
675
|
€151.76
|
1
|
2013
|
2,900
|
661
|
€123.18
|
None
|
I am also advised by the Garda authorities that it would require a disproportionate amount of Garda resources to provide the information sought by the Deputy in relation to the number of cautions issued to learner drivers in respect of the offences referred to as this information is not recorded on a centralised database.