Latest News Stories

'Thousands of NI drivers wrongly passing test'

12/11/07

Thousands of motorists in Northern Ireland may be risking car insurance claims because they are not fit to drive, despite a report showing that they managed to pass their test.

Findings by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) highlight that up to 5,000 Northern Irish motorists each year may pass their test but not be fit to take to the roads, the BBC reports.

As a result, they could be putting their safety as well as their car insurance premiums in danger.

Meanwhile, the Membership of the Northern Ireland Assembly have suggested that environment minister Arlene Foster should take steps to review the nation's drink drive policy as soon as possible, while the report states that the speed limit for learner and restricted drivers should also be addressed.

The PAC advises that police across the nation take more action to cut the number of drivers committing speeding offences to reduce the number of accidents that happen while improving performance in detecting and processing offences.

"Road users must be given a clear message that serious offences will be viewed seriously by the courts and will result in serious penalties," the report reads.

It also suggests that Police Service of Northern Ireland work closely with the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency to provide a good service.

Meanwhile, in the Republic of Ireland, concern is mounting over the increased backlog in applications to sit driving tests, the Irish Independent reports.

Searching for cheap car insurance online?go to Dial Direct