The Government confirmed yesterday that qualified drivers accompanying learner drivers cannot be breathalysed, and there are no plans to introduce such a move. Fine Gael’s reponse was immediate. Their spokesman Fergus O’Dowd said:
“I plan to raise this with the Minister because quite clearly if the accompanying driver is p****d and not fit to drive themselves they cannot be properly supervising the learner driver. It is ridiculous.”
This is opposition for opposition’s sake. If a couple go out, have a few drinks and get their teenage son or daughter to collect them and drive them home, this is something to be encouraged. What penalty would O’Dowd impose on them? Losing their own licence? Might as well risk driving themselves, so.
I think, given the light you put the point in, I’d probably agree with you ‘Tinman’.
Though, having said that (I’m out of the country and haven’t read much on it lately), I had thought the Government was in favour of such a move themselves?
The part I disagree with I suppose, is the “opposition for opposition’s sake”. I can definitely see the opposing point here but – on balance – I’d agree with you.
Comment by Noel Rock (FG) — July 3, 2008 @ 11:32 am
The rumour certainly was that the Gov was going to bring it in, Noel, & indeed the Times on Tuesday said that that was what was happening, but the Department came out and said that it wasn’t, perhaps because of the publicity.
I felt that this was a sensible move & couldn’t see why Fergus O’Dowd would jump in.
See also my post today – if my son is driving & I have a heart attack, can he drive me to the hospital?
Ta for the comment.
Comment by tinman18 — July 3, 2008 @ 11:43 am
Tinman, would have to agree that this is opposition purely for opposition’s sake. Further penalising people who dont have full licenses by targetting the passenger is ignoring the fact that the govt. is failing to provide a decent, organised structure for doing your test. Further more its a bit stoopid to target the sober learner driver and his tipsy passenger(co-pilot) when the roads are full of people drunk off their minds or driving high as kites. lets focus on the people behind the wheels first and then on the passenger.
Comment by Jer — July 3, 2008 @ 1:55 pm