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Road Traffic Offences

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 July 2020

Tuesday, 21 July 2020

Questions (557)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

557. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of learner drivers found to be driving unaccompanied in 2019 and in the first six months of 2020; the number who were subjected to a fine; and the number whose vehicles were impounded in tabular form. [16546/20]

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Written answers

I am informed by the Garda authorities that Fixed Charge Notices (FCNs) are issued for learner drivers unaccompanied by a qualified driver. The number of Fixed Charge Notices issued for Learner Drivers unaccompanied by a qualified driver was as follows:

FCNs Issued for Learner Drivers Unaccompanied

Year

FCNs issued

2019

6,145

Jan-June 2020

2,776

The Deputy will be aware that the "Clancy Amendment" seeks to penalise car owners who knowingly allow their vehicles to be used by an unaccompanied learner driver. The new law provides for the owners of these vehicles to be fined and as well as providing the Gardaí with the power to seize vehicles driven by unaccompanied drivers.

I have been informed that the number of vehicle seizures under the Clancy Amendment is as follows:

Vehicles Seized Under Clancy Amendment

Year

Vehicles seized

2019

2,510

Jan-June 2020

1,441

The Courts Service has advised me that the number of unaccompanied learner drivers who were convicted between 01/01/2019 and 30/06/2020 and the number of unaccompanied learner drivers on whom a fine was imposed during that period in the District Court are as follows:

Provisional Learner Driver Unaccompanied by a Qualified Driver

Period

No. of Persons Fined

No. of Persons Convicted

01.01.2019 - 31.12.2019

559

592

01.01.2020 - 30.06.2020

115

117

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