Deaths On The Roads

Sir - The Very Rev Robert McCartney (August 1st) blames 17-year-old L-drivers for much of the recent carnage on the roads, and…

Sir - The Very Rev Robert McCartney (August 1st) blames 17-year-old L-drivers for much of the recent carnage on the roads, and proposes that all L-drivers should be accompanied by someone with a full licence as a means to solve this problem.

A provisional licence will be granted to anyone over the age of 17, and is valid for two years. Under present legislation, as detailed in the Government's Rules of the Road publication, only a person holding their second provisional license can legally drive unaccompanied. Such a licence can only be granted - at the earliest - at the age of 19. Therefore, by law, all 17-year-old drivers must have a full licence-holder with them anyway.

Sadly, this law is not enforced at all - but this is another problem! - Yours, etc.,

Richard Bannister, Stillorgan Wood, Co Dublin