Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 February 2021
637. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 526 of 8 December 2020, if she received the additional information requested from the Garda Commissioner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7026/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraParliamentary Question No. 526 of 8 December 2020 refers to the number of learner drivers detected driving while unaccompanied under the Clancy Amendment law since 22 December 2018; the number that had their vehicles seized for driving unaccompanied; and the number that were issued with a fixed charge notice for driving unaccompanied.
As you may recall, the information you requested could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to contact you again when the information was to hand. The requested information has now been provided by An Garda Síochána.
As you will be aware, the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2018, known as the Clancy Amendment, seeks to penalise car owners who knowingly allow their vehicles to be used by an unaccompanied learner driver. The law allows the owners of these vehicles to be fined and gives Gardaí the power to seize their cars if being driven by unaccompanied drivers.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that since the legislation was introduced on 22 December 2018, there have been 6,294 incidents in which drivers have had their vehicles seized under the Clancy Amendment for driving unaccompanied.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table show the number of Fixed Charge Notices issued in relation to Learner Driver Offences for the years 2016 up to and including 2020.
|
Offence Description |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
Non Display of L plate (Learner Driver) |
3899 |
3904 |
3416 |
3845 |
4148 |
|
Learner Driver Unaccompanied by a Qualified Driver |
5812 |
6222 |
5187 |
6145 |
6709 |
|
Non Display of L tabard on motorcycle |
73 |
98 |
97 |
110 |
174 |
Figures are based on incidents which occurred from 2016-2020 inclusive. All information contained in this report is based upon operational data from the PULSE and FCPS systems as was available on 28 January 2021 and is provisional, operational and subject to change.
