New driving laws in relation to learner drivers are due to come into effect on Saturday, December 22.
The new laws, known as the Clancy Amendment, will mean that learner drivers could face fines of up to €2,000 or six months in prison for driving without the accompaniment of a full-time licence holder who has had his/her full licence for at least two years.
Gardaí will also be given the power to seize a vehicle if a learner driver is discovered using it without a qualified driver accompanying them.
The change in the law will also mean that the owner of the vehicle being driven illegally by the learner driver will now be held equally responsible.
The Clancy Amendment becomes law exactly three years on from when Geraldine Clancy (58), and her daughter Louise (22), died on December 22, 2015 when an unaccompanied learner driver lost control of her car at a junction a kilometre from their home in Kilworth.
The unaccompanied learner driver was given a three-month suspended sentence for dangerous driving. She admitted failing to yield at a blind junction and striking the Clancys’ car.
Noel Clancy and his daughter Fiona spoke on Crimecall on RTE One on Monday night.
Noel painfully recalled the day he came across the collision scene and not recognising his wife and daughter as they were being removed from the car.
Noel’s daughter Fiona, spoke of the devastating impact that the crash has had on their family.
Noel Clancy has campaigned over the last three years to change the law in relation to unaccompanied learner drivers and the Clancy Amendment is now due to be passed by the Oireachtas on Friday of this week, the law to come into effect on Saturday.
