Almost two-third of motorists have either driven unaccompanied on a learner permit or know of people who do, despite it being an offence.
A new nationwide survey has sought to understand the extent to which learner drivers in Ireland flouted the law and the reasons behind what appears to be a widespread issue.
The survey, commissioned by Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC (Aviva), reveals that while 28% of motorists surveyed admitted to having driven unaccompanied on a learner permit, a further 36% know of someone who does. Only 36% of drivers who responded to the survey have never done this or do not know anyone who has.
The long wait time for driving tests (58%) and poor public transport links (56%), particularly in rural areas (leaving no option other than to drive), are the primary reasons why learner drivers break the law.
Other reasons included a lack of garda presence on the roads leading them to believe they won’t get caught (38%) or a once-off occurrence where the learner driver is genuinely stuck (33%). However, 31% of drivers responding to the survey based their decision on a disregard for or failure to recognise the importance of the rules of the road.
Both men (28%) and women (26%) are almost equally culpable when it comes to flouting the law and driving on a learner permit unaccompanied, with the highest percentage of learner drivers who drive unaccompanied being those aged 25-34, at 41%. While men were more likely to have never driven unaccompanied on a learner permit or know of anyone who does at 47% versus women at 31%.
