I propose to take Questions Nos. 390 and 392 together.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána under Operation Learner Driver conducted two specific enforcement operations, in conjunction with the Road Safety Authority and other relevant stakeholders, targeting learner drivers in March and April this year.
The following table provides a combined breakdown of offences detected during these operations (in some cases both offences were committed by the same driver):
Number of Learner Drivers Driving Unaccompanied and orWithout L-plates Detected under Operation Learner Driver
Number of Learner Drivers Checked
|
Unaccompanied
|
No L-plates
|
Caution
|
Proceedings commenced*
|
2,200
|
946
|
660
|
949
|
279
|
*This figure is the number of proceedings commenced to 10 May 2012 and is provisional, operational and liable to change.
I am further informed that statistical information relating to the overall number of cautions issued to learner permit drivers for failing to display L-plates and for driving unaccompanied by a qualified driver since 2009 is not readily available and would necessitate the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources to compile.