Young Driver Curfew in Northern Ireland?

Wednesday 23 April 08

DUP assembly member Alastair Ross proposed a motion to begin a consultation process on proposals to impose night time curfew on novice drivers this spring according to BBC.

The proposal comes after several accidents among new drivers that have resulted in death or serious injury, and mirrors in large proposals that are being considered for introduction in the rest of the UK.

The scheme could also see the introduction of a statutory minimum 12-month period of supervised learning, raising the age of driving unaccompanied to 18, better hazard-perception training, a total ban of on alcohol consumption when driving and additional restrictions on novice drivers in relation to carrying teenage passengers.

Peter Weir MLA says 'Newly qualified drivers are five times more likely that the average driver to be involved in a fatal or serious road collision”

Northern Ireland already operates an R-plate system which must be displayed for a year and indicates the driver is restricted to 45mph. The first two years after passing there test they also face harsher penalties for motoring offences and only require six penalty points to lose their licence.

What are your thought about this proposal? Is it fair to ban young drivers from driving after midnight? WIMPS Forum