Northern Ireland

New drivers to be restricted to one young passenger

Newly-qualified drivers are to face restrictions on passengers in a bid to improve safety
Newly-qualified drivers are to face restrictions on passengers in a bid to improve safety Newly-qualified drivers are to face restrictions on passengers in a bid to improve safety

A NEW night-time restriction on newly-qualified drivers carrying young passengers is to be imposed in Northern Ireland as part of a package of measures to improve road safety.

The Road Traffic Bill, which was passed by the Assembly this week, will also introduce tougher drink driving laws and a mandatory minimum learning period before taking the test.

There will be a limit on young passengers carried by drivers under the age of 24 for the first six months after they pass their test.

Only one person aged 14 to 20 will be allowed on board between 11pm and 6am, unless they are immediate family members or an experienced driver aged at least 21 is also a front-seat passenger.

The rule will not apply in emergencies.

The Graduated Driver Licensing scheme also aims to ensure that learner drivers acquire the skills they need over time, in lower-risk environments.

There will be a six-month minimum learning period and a programme of training to be evidenced by a logbook.

And the legislation removes the current 45mph restriction for learner and restricted drivers so that lessons can be taken on motorways for the first time.

The bill will also introduce two new lower drink driving limits, the lowest of which will apply to novice and professional drivers.

It provides for a graduated penalty scheme reflecting the amount of alcohol involved, and gives the PSNI powers to establish roadside checkpoints for more routine breath checking.

The bill also introduces a requirement for quad users to wear helmets on public roads.

The Department of the Environment said implementation would require further public consultation and an extensive programme of subordinate legislation.

Environment minister Mark H Durkan welcomed the measures.

"Last year, 74 people lost their lives on our roads," he said.

"We cannot, if at all possible, let this carnage continue. What I have done in this bill is to get to the root causes of the problem.

"That means tougher drink drive laws. That means ensuring our new drivers are better drivers. That means putting less young people at risk in the hands of novice drivers.

"There is no acceptable level of road deaths. It is a fact that almost all casualties on our roads are caused by poor road user behaviour. They are therefore preventable.

"This bill, by addressing key causal factors, can make a real difference. Ultimately however, each of us must take personal responsibility for our behaviour on the roads."