Patience with Learner Drivers
Published by RSA in Safe Driving • 12/07/2011 10:46:07
Patience with Learner Drivers
Published by RSA in Safe Driving • 12/07/2011 10:46:07
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is today Monday 11th July 2011, appealing to drivers to be patient and considerate when they encounter learner drivers on Irish roads this summer. There are 248,739 learner permit holders for a car in Ireland (as of 31st May 2011) and many will use their summer holidays to learn how to drive.
Mr Noel Brett, Chief Executive of the RSA said: “It takes time and lots of practice with an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) and with an accompanying driver to become a skilled and experienced driver. Learning to drive can be very intimidating for novice drivers, especially when they encounter an impatient and aggressive driver. This can put not only the learner driver in danger, but other road users too. So, take a minute, remember how nervous you were when you learned to drive, and be patient with learner drivers on our roads this summer. Show good example through your own driving.”
The RSA is reminding learner drivers that they must have their learner ‘L’ plates clearly visible on the front and back of their vehicle so that they are clearly identifiable as a learner driver to other road-users. Learner drivers must also be accompanied by a fully licensed driver, who has held a licence for more than two years, any time they choose to practise their driving skills.
Cathy Bacon, Chairperson of the Irish Driving Instructors Association (IDIA) said, "Learning to drive and gaining road experience is a challenging task for the Learner and the Sponsor. Registered Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) can give advice on what to practice and how to choose appropriate areas to practice and develop the new skills safely. Experienced drivers can assist by being patient and giving extra time and space to Learners with an L Plate and so contribute to overall Road Safety".
Sean Collopy, an ADI Stakeholder Forum Representative from Limerick said, ‘If you are a driver and you encounter a learner driver out practicing you should allow extra distance between the learner driver and your vehicle. Do not sound the horn if the learner driver is taking more time to perform a manoeuvre. This could put the learner under unnecessary stress and possibly cause you further delay. Only overtake a learner driver when appropriate and it is safe to do so and always be patient with learner drivers and allow them the time and space they need to learn.”
Learner drivers are also reminded that since 4th April 2011 those applying for their first learner permit must complete a minimum of 12 hours of Essential Driver Training, with an RSA registered Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) before they can sit their driving test.
Published by RSA in Safe Driving • 12/07/2011 10:46:07
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is today Monday 11th July 2011, appealing to drivers to be patient and considerate when they encounter learner drivers on Irish roads this summer. There are 248,739 learner permit holders for a car in Ireland (as of 31st May 2011) and many will use their summer holidays to learn how to drive.
Mr Noel Brett, Chief Executive of the RSA said: “It takes time and lots of practice with an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) and with an accompanying driver to become a skilled and experienced driver. Learning to drive can be very intimidating for novice drivers, especially when they encounter an impatient and aggressive driver. This can put not only the learner driver in danger, but other road users too. So, take a minute, remember how nervous you were when you learned to drive, and be patient with learner drivers on our roads this summer. Show good example through your own driving.”
The RSA is reminding learner drivers that they must have their learner ‘L’ plates clearly visible on the front and back of their vehicle so that they are clearly identifiable as a learner driver to other road-users. Learner drivers must also be accompanied by a fully licensed driver, who has held a licence for more than two years, any time they choose to practise their driving skills.
Cathy Bacon, Chairperson of the Irish Driving Instructors Association (IDIA) said, "Learning to drive and gaining road experience is a challenging task for the Learner and the Sponsor. Registered Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) can give advice on what to practice and how to choose appropriate areas to practice and develop the new skills safely. Experienced drivers can assist by being patient and giving extra time and space to Learners with an L Plate and so contribute to overall Road Safety".
Sean Collopy, an ADI Stakeholder Forum Representative from Limerick said, ‘If you are a driver and you encounter a learner driver out practicing you should allow extra distance between the learner driver and your vehicle. Do not sound the horn if the learner driver is taking more time to perform a manoeuvre. This could put the learner under unnecessary stress and possibly cause you further delay. Only overtake a learner driver when appropriate and it is safe to do so and always be patient with learner drivers and allow them the time and space they need to learn.”
Learner drivers are also reminded that since 4th April 2011 those applying for their first learner permit must complete a minimum of 12 hours of Essential Driver Training, with an RSA registered Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) before they can sit their driving test.