South Meath Driving School

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána recently launched their Christmas and New Year Road Safety Campaign at the Medical Bureau for Road Safety, UCD. The focus of this year’s campaign is serious head injuries as a result of road collisions. Statistics from the National Neurosurgery Centre at Beaumont Hospital show that of an average of 250 head trauma transfers to the hospital every year, 1 in 7 are as a result of a road collision.

To date in 2013, 36 admissions were as a result of road traffic collisions. The year-to-date statistics also show that vulnerable road users (motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists) represent 70% of admissions as a result of road collisions and are two and a half times more likely to sustain a traumatic brain injury than car-users

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr Leo Varadkar TD said:

“In 2012, we had the lowest number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads since records began for the fifth consecutive year. But as 2013 draws to a close, 13 more people have died on our roads so far compared with the numbers who died during the entire year in 2012, including the Christmas period. These numbers not only represent lives lost but huge tragedy for the families, friends and communities left behind. The increase in road deaths in 2013 serves as a stark reminder of why we must all continue to make our roads safer for everyone, particularly over Christmas and New Year.”

At the launch, Mr David O’Brien, Clinical Director at Beaumont Hospital’s National Neurosurgery Centre presented hospital data from the past year, giving a profile of how head injuries present to the Unit as a result of road collisions.

“This year, we have treated 36 patients with head trauma as a result of a road traffic collision. The typical profile of our head trauma patients is young adult males. Of those, 13 were cyclists; none of them were wearing helmets. We also saw 10 drivers, 7 pedestrians and 5 motorbike riders.”

“What people may not realise is there is a small army involved in the aftercare of these trauma victims. These patients can have long lasting disabilities, which can be physical or non-physical, and some may never fully recover. We’re never going to eliminate road traffic collisions completely, but what we can do is minimise them, and part of this is down to each individual’s behaviour.

At the launch, Mr Gay Byrne, Chairman, Road Safety Authority reminded people not to forget those who have sustained serious head injuries in collisions:

“When we hear or read about road collisions, more often than not, it’s because someone has died. But what we often forget are those who are seriously injured in these collisions. With a head injury, the effects are not always immediately apparent and the consequences these people live with can be invisible. But they’re not invisible, they’re devastating – to the individual, their families and their communities.”

“As we enter the final days of 2013 and the beginning of a new year, I want us all to remember these people and to remember that all it takes is a split second for a serious injury or worse to happen. Our message, as always, is simple – don’t take risks on the road. Slow down, wear your seatbelt, never ever drink or drug drive, wear high visibility clothing if you’re out walking or on your bike, and make sure you get home safely this Christmas.”

Over the festive period, there will be a determined focus by An Garda Síochána on key lifesaver offences, i.e. driving under the influence, speeding, non-use of seatbelts and use of mobile phones.

Speaking at the launch, Assistant Garda Commissioner John Twomey said:

“The Christmas enforcement campaign by An Garda Síochána is in full force during the month of December. There will be an increase in the number of Mandatory Alcohol Testing checkpoints performed, and they will be carried out on a targeted, 24/7 basis. Speeding enforcement by the GoSafe safety camera vans will also increase to 7,375 hours of monitoring in the month of December.

“In addition to enforcement activity, there will be a number of safety initiatives targeting vulnerable road users, namely pedestrians and cyclists. I would like to remind everyone that this is not about catching people, it’s about protecting each and every person who uses the roads so we can all have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.”

At the launch, Sean Dixon spoke about how his life has changed since he was in a collision in 2011:

“You would never know by looking at me that I have a brain injury. I can walk down the street and people would think there is nothing wrong. But after the accident, there were a lot of consequences for me… I suffered memory loss and still have to work hard to focus on my short term memory. It has affected my relationships with my family, and I had to leave my job in the army. I was two weeks away from going to serve in the Lebanon. The effect it has had on my life is huge.”

Happy Christmas to all our readers. Stay safe.

Ancient Irish roads were classified into seven types with regard to size and use. Lovely Gaelic names like Conair, was a road of any kind; Slige was a main road; Bothar, today’s term for a road; Bothereen was a little road or lane, while Bealach was a pass; Tochair was a link road.

In the Book of the Dun Cow, there is reference to the five main roads leading from Tara –

1, Slige Asail ran due west towards Lough Owel. 2, Slige Midluachra ran northwards towards Slane, through the Moyra Pass to Newtownhamilton to the palace of Eamhain and on to the north coast of Antrim. 3 Slige Cualann ran south-east through Dublin, over the Liffey by the hurdle-bridge that gave the city its ancient name Baile atha Cliath, the town of the hurdle ford, and on to Bray. 4, Slige Dala ran south-west through Ossary in Kilkenny. 5, Slige Mor, the great highway, ran south-west and joined the Esker Riada at Clonard leading west on to Galway.

Those roads were constructed mainly of stone, tree trunks, bushes and clay placed in layers and trampled down till sufficiently firm. They were well maintained by those early Gaels and able to support a horse and carriage.

The late Polly Cunningham of Porchfield Cottage and Eleanor De Eto pointed out to me an original road that they said led to Tara. It ran parallel to the road that now joins the Trim by-pass to Marcie’s Tavern through Lackanash and Newtown. Without excavation, let alone preservation, it was silently bulldozed out of existence.

The Anglo Normans, under Simon de Rochefort, built Newtown Cathedral of Ss Peter and Paul in the early 1200s, while the winding bridge there wasn’t constructed for several hundred years more. While the Cathedral fell into ruin in the 16^th century, the bridge and its environs gradually grew stronger and bolder. The only threat to this great carriageway came in the mid 1970s when it was proposed to build a by-pass around the town using the bridge as one of the lanes. Two stalwarts opposed the development, one Michael A. Regan and one Marcella Regan.

While Michael A. rode shotgun on his horse named ‘Business’ in a high profile manner giving interviews from the hip to Telefis Eireann, BBC, CNN and Niall Lacey of Trim pirate radio, his namesake, Marcie was more in the mould of Barbara Frietchie in the poem of the same name where Whittier describes an incident in the American civil war when the Confederate general, Stonewall Jackson, rode through Union territory of Maryland –

‘She leaned far out on the window-sill,

And shook it forth with a royal will.

“Shoot, if you must, this grey old head,

But spare your country’s flag,” she said.’

It was the likes of the Regans, no relation according to Marcie, who saved our heritage from the front-loading pens of Ireland’s planning officers.

Nonetheless, this little ‘bothereen’ that leads from everywhere to Marcie’s wateringhole doesn’t sleep easily. Of late, it has been upgraded to a tochair, with its first coat of tar in two generations, according to Tosh Hollande. With a smart, broken white line down the middle, the men with the black stuff managed to widen it by a foot or two. All was well until this line of longitude arrived at the famous bridge when, for some strange reason, it just ran out of latitude. The old order that was Marcie’s Junction was changed without a shot being fired or an interview given or taken. The main road became a Bealach, the minor road became a Slige and a green traffic light is followed by a snappy ‘Stop’ sign; a carpark occupies centre stage of the  middle of the olde main road; there’s double yellow lines where thirsty men lately laid nose bags for their horses. There’s no elbow room to turn left on emerging from the bridge, even after stuttering to a stop. Then there’s the newest design of a turning lane for those heading over the bridge from the by-pass. It’s in the shape of a reticulated python, fit to accommodate no more than one and a half cyclists.

‘Are you right there  Michael A ..’re you right, do you think that we’ll be home before the night?’

It’s time to jump on your horse again, Michael.

I dropped into Had Rian’s mineral bar, aka Marcie’s, for a breather having surveyed Little Galveston outside. There were many other non believers there. Alababs said it was worse than the destruction of the monasteries by Henri. Tuitenkhaman claimed all would be well in time as it was only a little temporary arrangement. D’olivera Plant maintained it was just an introductory outline but, when challenged by Matthew Rose, he said he agreed that it would most likely be a permanent job.

The exchange was a reminder of a County Council meeting in Manorhamilton in the 60s when the chairman was talking up his latest project. A few times in his address, he used the descriptions ‘Temporary’ and ‘Permanent.’ One councillor was having difficulty understanding those long winded adjectives and asked his friend, Councillor McHugh to explain. However, McHugh had dozed off due to the effects of some laden refreshments he had consumed earlier.

“McHugh, what’s the maening of them big words, timperory and pirminaunt that the chairman is using,” he asked more than once. Disturbed from his slumber, McHugh muttered, “I’m drunk, that’s temporary, you’re ignorant, that’s permanent. Now, let me sleep.”

Away from the Manorhamilton address, Alababs maintained that the Stop sign at the front door outside was akin to a gate in Hadrian’s Wall itself, a stop off point and resting place and that the new Had Rian had a hand in the plan. Tuitenkhaman argued that the new carpark had a similar end result in that those who parked up first had no way out as the last one in blockaded the exit. “I had no hand act or part in that at all,” said Matthew Rose, a shareholder, with a broad grin.

“Well, at least the job didn’t take as long to complete as Polly’s bridge up the road a cupla years ago there,” interjected Franklin D. from the corner. “Oh, God,” says Alababs, “ shur that took longer than the Chesapeake Bay to finish.”

Dear Marcie, don’t interrupt your sleep for you’d quickly return on seeing some modern-day planners at work which you just might dismiss as a total ‘bealach.’

For the past seven years I have been giving driving instruction as an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) in Class B vehicles. In that time I have seen many candidates undergo the driving test, practically all with an element of trepidation yet many came out smiling, but, for the minority it was a repeat dose. Having carried out much research world-wide, the Dept. of Transport set up the Road Safety Authority (RSA) in 2007 with a view to structuring a safer learning process for young drivers.

It has worked well but one area that requires urgent change is the age-old system of the driving test.

On the 4^th of April, 2011, the Essential Driver Training (EDT) programme came into being. It is the new system whereby learner drivers must undergo a minimum of 12 x 1 hour lessons with an ADI before being eligible to apply for a driving test.

Features of the new system include, among others, car controls and safety checks, correct positioning, changing direction, anticipation and reaction, night driving – all following the lesson programme to bring out the better driving skills, proper behaviour and attitude in a learner driver. There are many hours of practice with a sponsor between lessons and after completion of the EDT course. Parents looking at this new learning programme might be forgiven for thinking that it would cure all driving ills, that it was even a bit scientific.

Prior to April 4, 2011, the holder of a Provisional Licence wasn’t subject to such training. Some drove a tractor on the farm from a young age; a parent or friend introduced the novice to the travails of driving in the laneway or local boreen before venturing into town for a ‘finetuning’ of those skills.

It was then time to apply for the Test and the driving instructor was summoned for just a few lessons and tips to ensure the test was passed.

Therefore, one would expect that in graduating from that scenario to EDT in 2011, the standard would rise out of all proportion and the test should be a near formality. Here then are some statistics on pass rate percentages at random test centres –

The preparation for a driving test prior to 2007 was without any particular standard set by the State. The pass rate in Navan in ’08 was 58% reducing to 50% last year. Tallaght centre shows a decline from 59% to an extraordinary 43% in the same years, whereas Sligo’s and Athlone’s trend was upward while Letterkenny changed little. Overall, there’s a slight increase.

I can find no sense or reason in those figures. The learner driver of today is usually more educated and their wherewithal ranks well above that of the previous generation. But, in this context, too many are being left frustrated over a test system whose method is ancient, stale and dictatorial. A driving test should not be conducted and decided on by one individual without opportunity of challenge. To say that one may appeal a decision to the District Court is folly. How many will take the trouble? In any case, the Court can’t change the tester’s decision, but may order a retest for free.

The driving instructor(s) must have an input that is commensurate with their role in the preparation and overall assessment of the candidate. Afterall, the ADI is the one with in ‘hands on’ role.

Their  input could be done by way of completion of a confidential form which would be submitted to the RSA in advance of the test or, furthermore, hold a verbal briefing in advance of the test. The tester’s position would not be undermined. If anything, the ADI is putting his/her neck on the line with this proposal.

I understand that in Belgium the tester sits in the back seat and the driving instructor takes up position in the passenger seat for the test. That way the candidate will not be as nervous as meeting a tester alone and for the first time. In Holland, the tester has no marking sheet; the candidate drives for about an hour and there’s an assessment that is more general with regard to the competency or otherwise of such student. I’m aware that there’s a pilot scheme in operation here at present where the ADI may accompany the candidate on a test. That isn’t going far enough, especially where an ADI’s car is being used. It’s in operation in England for a time.

The current Irish system plays into the hands of the tester alone: that is wrong. Eight grade 2 ticks can be given and yet pass. One more tick and you fail. It’s in the mould of sweets for a child who is good, than to do with the many elements of safety on our roads. Is there much wrong with a candidate slowing down by a few km/h for a short distance because there’s a fear of breaking the speed limit. How can anyone be sure if it’s a 50 or 60 km/h zone he’s in? One may travel many many hundreds of metres in a built up area without seeing a further speed limit sign, especially around Navan where traffic signs (or a lack of) and road markings are nothing short of disgraceful, leading to confusion for the best of drivers. So, a candidate slows a little too much and gets a tick for ‘Progress on the straight.’

What’s so incompetent about driving for a while in 3^rd gear instead of 4^th?  Diesel cars struggle at 50km/h in 4^th gear. There’s so much that is in the petty, nit picking category of the test that has little or nothing to do with either unsafe driving or a lack of competency. There’s simply too much discretion left in the hands of the tester. That is not the testers fault. The tester is very professional and can only deal with the programme presented to him/her. There is a great lack of communication between ADIs and the RSA. There should be an open meeting held on a bi-annual basis.

If the number of road deaths and injuries are falling drastically it must be a reflection of higher driving standards. That is not reflected in the test pass rates. Why? Look at a few statistics here –

This is a brilliant result for which all the stakeholders can take a bow. That is the RSA, ADIs, Gardai, NRA, ambulance crews etc. Yet the better candidates are not being rewarded at the test centre.

An example of the exasperation suffered by some victims of this test system is a young lady from Navan who sat her test recently (in her own back yard, of course.) We’ll call her Adelle. It’s an advantage, ‘playing at home’ of course. She had been driving for over two years. She was just an all round very good driver with a solid temperament.

One question the tester asked her was, ‘Is this your first time …?’ It was.

(Could it be that a tester is building a profile of a candidate? Such as age, experience, competency, before any driving action at all.) Adelle had 10 grade 2 ticks (8 being a pass.) She was perplexed. I was almost embarrassed and as frustrated as the poor girl. It made me think that I must be doing something wrong. Might I not be up to date in some areas? But, I don’t think so.

She soon had a new test date and I was due to do a pre test run with her when there was a death of a close relative in the family. Her test was the day after the funeral. There was no time for a pre test run out. She went ahead and had just 2 grade 2 ticks. Of course the RSA will say it’s all on the day, that nobody drives the same on any given two occasions etc. But Adelle’s case is symptomatic of so many other candidates. A young person should not be a statistical subject in the eyes of the RSA. Their individual performance should stand alone for assessment and not be subject to the number of young people who are getting killed on the roads. That’s a totally different matter.

The young person, 17 years old, undergoing a driving test  reminds me of the young fellow who has come before a District Court Judge on a charge of, say, assault and breach of the peace. It’s his first time in court. The judge wants to teach this chap a lesson, yet not punish him too severely with a custodial sentence. So he remands him in custody for a week and then gives his decision – one month in prison, suspended conditionally. The young man didn’t officially serve time inside. But he got a sniff of what it would be like if he misbehaved in the future. It is my opinion that the young driver, in the eyes of the RSA, must earn his brownie points and so, can afford another visit and some more of mammy’s hard earned money. That will make him appreciate his certificate of competency. Poor Adelle!

Therefore, I emphasise that broader assessment is the key, like input by the ADI and a system akin to that of Holland. If after 12 or more lessons I can say to a learner, “ You are a competent driver with a good attitude to safety and to other road users,” I should also be able to say to that person that I am confident he or she should pass any driving test. But no, I cannot.

The RSA made all Approved Driving Instructors undergo a stringent learning programme in order to instil in the learner the essentials of safe driving and the skills involved. Then they close the door on the ADIs. That must change forthwith.

A test shouldn’t be conducted in built up areas alone. Where do collisions involving death and serious injury occur? Out mostly on country roads, at junctions, blind corners and in the attempt at overtaking. Driving on a clutch and brake for 15 minutes of a 30 minute  test, bumper to bumper is no great test of skill. Other aspects should include night time tests, driving on motorway, overtaking  and changing a wheel. A candidate isn’t allowed drive on a motorway under instruction with an ADI or parent etc., but pass the test and it’s on to the motorway at 120 km/h. No, it’s no use giving advice to take a practice run on a motorway with an experienced driver after qualifying. It should be in the programme of preparation and set down in legislation.

The new marking system of faults in the driving test whereby the candidate is later supplied with a detailed marking sheet, is not being met with approval. The older system was simpler,  clearer and instant. When a tester has made up his/her mind on faults incurred, it should be delivered immediately if a final decision on pass/fail is also being there and then delivered.

The cost of preparation and the taking of a driving test is now reaching towards 1000.00 euro, all told. I feel that a second test should be reduced from 103 euro to 50.00. A lot of people that I talk to are of the opinion that money could be an element of this first time failure. Should that be the case, it could spark another inquiry. I’m merely quoting what many are saying and many have the same sentiments in relation to the National Car Test (and the retest.) A lot of people in Ireland  have had their savings and property values plundered by clowning bankers and incompetent politicians so we all have to be extra cautious in the way household expenditure is handled. The Driving Test and NCT are new areas that require closer monitoring.

An individual undergoing a driving test should not be looked at in the light of national trends in road crashes or fatalities. The RSA has been running a road safety broadcast campaign recently in the form of Gay Byrne asking drivers to slow down, that there was one death more in the first half of this year than that of 2012. Everyone is conscious of all this and long may Gay’s message live. I wonder how do the RSA deliver this message of gloom to the many testers around the country.

A healthy sign of progress is the ability to adapt and change. They say the wheels of bureaucracy turn slowly: the Dept of Transport have challenged that myth in the past few years. I appeal to them to continue the good work and change radically our ancient driving test methods in a manner that will show greater fairness to a young generation of people who have become the coping class.

Bill will legislate for roadside drug impairment tests, ‘Novice’ driver licences, higher penalty points, testing of unconscious drivers

Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar has published the Road Traffic Bill 2013 following its sign-off by Cabinet.

The measures in the Bill will enhance safety on Irish roads by legislating for roadside impairment tests for drug driving, higher penalty points for speeding, mobile phone use and not wearing seatbelts, and will allow unconscious drivers to be tested.

The Minister appealed to motorists to renew efforts to drive safely following an increase in road fatalities so far this year.

“Last year saw the lowest number of deaths ever recorded on Irish roads, but the rise in fatalities so far this year is deeply worrying. The measures in this Bill will have a significant effect on road safety by targeting key areas. We will strengthen the penalty points system, legislate for roadside impairment testing for drug driving, and reinforce the driver learning process,” Minister Varadkar said.

“My intention is to introduce this Bill in the Oireachtas as quickly as possible. I am concerned that the number of road fatalities for the first half of this year has exceeded that of the past two years. Every road user has a responsibility to behave safely, whether you are a driver, motorcyclist, cyclist or pedestrian. I appeal to everyone to take extra care, and ask motorists in particular to slow down.”

The Bill was drafted following consultation with the Oireachtas Transport Committee, in particular the changes to the penalty points system.

As of today, 91 people have lost their lives on our roads in 2013, compared with 89 at the same time in 2012 and 88 in 2011.

Details of the Bill

• Further measures in the Graduated Driver Licence System by:

• Introducing the concept of ‘Novice’ for the first two years of a first licence. Novices will be required to display an ‘N’ plate;
• Setting the disqualifying level for novice and learner drivers at six penalty points, half the level for other drivers;
• Requiring learner drivers to produce a log book indicating that they have undertaken a minimum (to be specified in Regulations) of accompanied driving experience before taking a driving test. This is in addition to the 12 formal lessons with approved driving instructors already required.

• Taking a blood specimen in hospital from a driver incapacitated following a road traffic collision. The permission of the treating doctor will be required before the specimen can be taken and the results of the analysis will be revealed only when the driver can, subsequently, give permission.

• Roadside impairment testing, where Gardaí can carry out cognitive tests to establish if a driver is under the influence of an intoxicant. The result of the test can be used if a prosecution proceeds.

• The Bill will also adjust the level of penalty points for some offences. There will be increases for offences such as:
  • Speeding will now attract 3 points on payment of fixed charge and 5 on conviction (previously 2 and 4);
  • Mobile phone use will now attract 3 points on payment of fixed charge and 5 on conviction (previously 2 and 4);
  • Non-wearing of seatbelts will now attract 3 points on payment of fixed charge and 5 on conviction (previously 2 and 4);
  • Other offences such as non-display of an NCT certificate, which at present involve a Court appearance, will attract 2 points on payment of fixed charge.

This Bill doesn’t just affect learner drivers. It can be seen that roadside impairment tests concern all drivers as does the taking of a blood specimen from an injured person in hospital following a traffic collision. The one good result that will emerge from this is the further effort at reducing deaths on our roads. Stay safe.

8% of road deaths this year were aged 16-20

Friday 14th June 2013: Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar and the Road Safety Authority have appealed to leaving and junior cert students to be road safety conscious at all times when celebrating the end of their exams this weekend.

With 8% of all road death victims this year aged between 16 and 20, Minister Varadkar joined with Road Safety Authority CEO Noel Brett to appeal to young people to prioritise road safety during their celebrations.

Minister Varadkar said: ‘The end of the leaving and junior cert exams should be a time of celebration. Thousands of students around Ireland are looking forward to the end of the exams. I urge parents to talk to them about their plans in advance, including who they will be travelling with and how they intend getting to their destination’.

Minister Varadkar and Noel Brett asked young motorists to consider the following ahead of their celebrations:

• Consider using public transport to get to and from your destination safely;
• Learner drivers must be accompanied by a full licence holder, who has held that licence for more than two years;
• Never drink or drug drive, don’t use a mobile phone while driving, don’t drive too fast for the conditions and always wear your seatbelt.
• Young drivers should remember they are among the most vulnerable of our road-users.

Noel Brett added: “To parents I would echo the Minister’s comment about making sure your son or daughter stays safe on the roads tonight. This isn’t about being over-protective, so I would urge you to make an extra personal effort and see if they need to be collected following the celebrations. To students I would say be careful who you get into a car with – never get into a car with someone who drives recklessly or who has consumed alcohol or taken drugs. Make sensible choices about how you decide to travel and who you travel with, and don’t put your life or the lives of others at risk.”

The RSA has the following advice for parents and their young adults:

• For parents, ask your son or daughter to avoid driving late at night as this is a high risk period for crashes, particularly among young people;
• For any young adults choosing to drive at night, remember that any amount of alcohol or drugs impairs your driving which could lead to a serious collision;
• Don’t carry more people in your car than is safe. Consider limiting it to two or three passengers and ask them to avoid distracting you while you are driving;
• Always obey the speed limits and never drive faster than your experience or the roads allow;
• Don’t get into a car if you don’t trust the driver or feel your safety is being compromised and don’t be afraid to speak out.

While it is reassuring for young adults to carry a mobile phone, never talk on your phone or text while driving.

Gerard Manley Hopkins penned the wonder lines about the child,

‘The child is father to the man.’

How can he be? The words are wild.

Suck any sense from that who can:

‘The child is father to the man’

No, what the poet did write ran,’

‘The child is father to the man!’

‘How can he be? The words are wild.

Children, you are your parents’ little ‘wonders of the world.’ Enjoy your summer, stay safe and, together, we’ll shorten the winter.