The scandal of provisional licences and delayed driving tests, caused by Government ineptitude and trade union intransigence, has been tolerated for too long. The high number of fatalities on our roads can be linked to bad driving behaviour and to a belief, particularly among young male drivers, that "anything goes".
Such a destructive attitude has been encouraged by a failure to insist on proper training for motorists; an inadequate testing system and a near-invisible Garda presence on our roads.
The latest twist in this sorry saga emerged last Wednesday when public service unions successfully challenged the Government's plans to outsource some of the testing to a private company because of a provision in the social partnership document "Sustaining Progress". Making its ruling, the Civil Service Arbitration Board urged the unions to seek agreement on the issue because of the potential threat to road safety. It was good advice. For, if the income and work practices of union members are seen to take precedence over road safety, there will be negative consequences.
The number of provisional licence-holders recently passed the 400,000 mark. More than 130,000 drivers are waiting to be called for their tests, some of them for up to 12 months. The cost and inconvenience involved is enormous. Many jobs now require a full driver's licence. And insurance companies charge a higher premium for unqualified motorists. Through no fault of their own, many young people are being denied appropriate work and are being financially punished.
The existing system is incapable of coping with the situation. On the basis of current testing procedures and pass rates, it would take almost three years to process all provisional licence-holders. At the end of that time, more than 150,000 would have failed tests; there would be a backlog of new applicants and the majority would still pose a threat on the roads. This malign cycle must be broken.
Minister for Transport Martin Cullen expressed "disappointment" at the arbitration board ruling and spoke vaguely of finding a solution. That is not the kind of political energy or determination which is required. The ruling has exposed the Government's failure to secure public service co-operation in return for hugely generous benchmark payments. Reform, co-operation and more efficient work practices were promised. But it now seems "core functions" within the public service are untouchable. It is not good enough. Such a provision should be excluded from any future deal. In the meantime, the Government must introduce comprehensive reforms in relation to driving tests and provisional licences.