Public Affairs

Improving road safety law

7145899_xxl Fiona McQuade outlines the finer points of The Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill and what it will mean for road users.

In the first major shake-up in drink drive laws since 1968, new legislation will mean radical changes in order to reduce the number of road deaths and serious injuries and illegal behaviour on the roads and protect young drivers up to the age of 24.

In 2013, collisions caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Northern Ireland killed or seriously injured 50 people and caused a total of 394 casualties. The legislation proposes to lower the drink drive limit, bringing Northern Ireland into line with most of Europe, including the Republic.

Between 2008 and 2012, young drivers aged between 17 and 24 were responsible for 42 per cent of fatal collisions caused by car drivers yet they comprise only 10 per cent of current car licence holders. The Road Safety Strategy for 2011-2020 includes a target to reduce the number of young people seriously injured or killed by at least

55 per cent. Environment Minister Mark H Durkan commented that “young drivers will be preparing to drive for life rather than passing a test.”

When the Bill was debated in the Assembly, Sammy Wilson suggested that it would be too invasive and limited the freedoms of driving. People from rural areas (with limited public transport links) could be disadvantaged by the year-long wait before taking their test and the further restrictions that could apply afterwards. Wilson also asked if there would be enough resources to enforce the legislation.

Durkan responded that the legislation “is not and should not be about catching people, it is about stopping people doing things that put themselves and others at risk.” He added he was confident the Bill could meet “the challenge involved in pursuing an ambition of zero road deaths.” The Bill is currently in its committee stage which will finish in March 2015.

Drink driving

Blood alcohol content limits will be lowered from 80mg/100ml to 50mg/100ml. A de facto zero limit of 20mg/100ml will apply to professional drivers and also to novice drivers for the first two years after passing their test. There will be greater use of the drink drive rehabilitation scheme and graduated penalties, including new endorsable fixed penalties for offences involving lower levels of alcohol i.e. a fixed penalty of six points or three points on completion of a drink driving course. Police will have new powers to establish controlled roadside check points and carry out random breath tests in order to catch those driving under the influence.

Learning to drive

Young people will be able to begin learning to drive from the age of 16 and a half instead of the current age of 17. They will have to complete a ‘learning to drive’ syllabus and produce a compulsory student log book. There will be a mandatory period of 12 months in which learners must hold a provisional licence before being able to apply for their test. The current speed limit of 45mph imposed on learner and restricted drivers will be removed, allowing learners to be tested on a wider range of roads at national speed limits and take lessons on motorways with an approved instructor in a dual controlled car.

Woman Texting on Phone and Driving Car Passenger restrictions

Drivers under the age of 24 will be restricted to carrying only one young passenger (aged 14 to 20) in their vehicle, unless they are an immediate family member, for the first six months after taking their test. A ‘relevant accompanying person’ must be over 21 years of age and have held a full licence for at least three years. Police will have powers to ask the driver or passengers for names, addresses and ages and also the passenger’s relationship to the driver. Failure to produce this information will be an offence and the person may be fined up to £1,000 and receive three penalty points.

Young drivers

The current restricted period of a year will be replaced by a ‘new driver’ period of two years. During these two years, stricter drink drive limits will apply and young drivers will risk losing their licence if they accumulate six or more penalty points, with remedial courses being introduced as an alternative. R-plates will be replaced by different plates (the format is still to be decided) and these will have to be displayed for the two-year period.

Quads

Between 2006 and 2010, three people were killed and 27 seriously injured whilst using quads on public roads. Although riders and passengers on two-wheeled motorcycles are required by law to wear helmets, those on quads do not. The department has no power to legislate for the off-road use of quads but the Bill will require the mandatory wearing of helmets on public roads.

Show More
Back to top button