Munster Express Online

A poll of over 7,000 Irish motorists by AA Motor Insurance reveals that 55 per cent of respondents fully approve of Minister Noel Dempsey’s proposed ‘Graduated Driving Licence System’ whilst a further 31 per cent ‘somewhat approve’.

Only just over one in ten are opposed to the proposed measure. The new system introduces a series of strict measures surrounding the governance of Ireland’s learner permit holders.

“Road safety has improved significantly in the last decade,” said AA’s Director of Policy Conor Faughnan.

“But appalling events like those in Killarney and Donegal remind us that we cannot let road safety slip down the list of priorities.

“The new system proposed by the Minister for Transport will provide our young drivers with a better standard of training. Even though proper training has a cost attached to it, it must become an integral part of learning how to drive.”

Women are slightly more in favour of the legislation, with an 87 per cent approval rating versus 84 per cent for men.

Some 11 per cent of men disagree with the new system on some level in comparison to nine per cent of women.

And on a county level, almost 90 per cent of 10 Wexford residents say they welcome its introduction, the highest in the country. Offaly and Galway follow close behind with approval ratings of 90 and 87.6 per cent respectively.

See The Munster Express newspaper for full story or subscribe to our PDF version.