Any garda checkpoints out today?

TheNog

Alan Ford wrote: »

This fella is L driver and he always takes his father(full Licence holder) to the pub every weekend.
The father drinks till pissed and the son doesnt drink.
When the times up in the pub,the son drives his father who is legless home.
What would happen if the son gets stopped by the guards?
The father has full licence(pissed) and son only has provisional licence.
????

True the son is breaking the law for not having a sober full licenced driver with him but think of the alternative.

Which is more dangerous? Drunk driving or provisional driver on his own?

If I was to stop him I'd say on your way home cos using common sense it is better than having someone drunk driving.


Now that the provisional/learning permit issue has been or at least is being sorted I predict that a reform of the full licenced drivers is on the cards too. I would like to see full licenced drivers being re-tested say every 5 or ten years and if they fail the test, they will be re-issued with a learner permit. Those who are disqualified from driving for whatever reason should be made reapply for a learner permit and resit their driving test. It may be harsh and some may lose their jobs but there has to be a real bite to losing your licence rather than the inconvience of losing your licence for 6 months to 4 years

snowy2008

I need to drive from galway to dublin for the august bank holiday, do u think there might be checkpoints set up? i took down my l plates and im just chancing my arm, i still cant believe my tester called iun sick and there was no one to cover him, unreal!!!!!! how they expect to get thru that back log is beyond me

sam34

teresa2008 wrote: »

I need to drive from galway to dublin for the august bank holiday, do u think there might be checkpoints set up? i took down my l plates and im just chancing my arm, i still cant believe my tester called iun sick and there was no one to cover him, unreal!!!!!! how they expect to get thru that back log is beyond me

i'd say there will definitely be checkpoints that wkend, dont they always go on a high profile blitz on bank holidays. and because they advertise it so much, it will probably be a zero tolerance approach also

TwoShedsJackson

teresa2008 wrote: »

I need to drive from galway to dublin for the august bank holiday, do u think there might be checkpoints set up? i took down my l plates and im just chancing my arm, i still cant believe my tester called iun sick and there was no one to cover him, unreal!!!!!! how they expect to get thru that back log is beyond me

There's usually extra cops and checkpoints out on a Bank Holiday weekend, they won't be setting them up specifically to catch out unaccompanied learners though as they said themselves. You may be better off leaving the plates up and hoping the guards go easy on you if you do get stopped, better to do that then take them down and definitely seem to be avoiding the law.

SheroN

TwoShedsJackson wrote: »

There's usually extra cops and checkpoints out on a Bank Holiday weekend, they won't be setting them up specifically to catch out unaccompanied learners though as they said themselves. You may be better off leaving the plates up and hoping the guards go easy on you if you do get stopped, better to do that then take them down and definitely seem to be avoiding the law.

You could always drive through any checkpoints without stopping and hope that the cops don't catch you. Put a piece of cardboard over your number plates.

Why not go the whole hog; put english plates on your car!*





*disclaimer, I'm not condoning any illegal activity.

LadyE

T.G Catter wrote: »

I am completely disillusioned with the whole driving test system and to be honest completely broke from it too with lessons, fuel and application fees.

I have failed a total of 3 times now in Wexford Town/Enniscorthy.

I was only driving a few months first time to be fair and was expected. Second time was by a POLISH TESTER in Enniscorthy, who failed me by 1 mark, marked so very very unfairly, plus he made me wait an extra 10 minutes in the test centre while he spoke to his mates in Poland.

3rd time was very hot Saturday in Wexford, my passenger window is broken and won't open and he was very very slow to give me signal and had no idea of Wexford town in general as he was a Dub. So most likely pissed off he couldn't get back to the kids in the holiday home to hit Curracloe beach.

All I can do now is apply again. I need my car. I am a good driver I have never had an accident in all my 4 years driving. I am not danger on the road, compared to the moron boy racers I meet daily driving on my side of the road or speeding.
I drive on the on dangerous country roads and then get judged on driving on narrow streets in towns on one occasion.

If you were a good driver you would have passed your test

No point blaming the testers nationality or the time you did your test..:p

eoghan104

My friend mailed me this morning saying that a guy in his office got done last night. €1000 fine for not being accompanied and €1000 for having no L plates. He said there were checkpoints in Shankill Bray and Blackrock. They were asking drivers for license, tax and insurance. Did anyone see any of this?

SheroN

eoghan104 wrote: »

My friend mailed me this morning saying that a guy in his office got done last night. €1000 fine for not being accompanied and €1000 for having no L plates. He said there were checkpoints in Shankill Bray and Blackrock. They were asking drivers for license, tax and insurance. Did anyone see any of this?

I'd imagine they will throw the book at you for not having L plates up.

Best bet is to keep the L plates up and show them a driving test appointment letter (for the next month or so).

Creamy Goodness

saw a garda jeep and three people in red RSA jackets on the N11 near cabinteely this morning.

nice to see they are trying to make their presence felt.

whiskeyman

Seems to be a few checkpoints around the South Dublin area this morning... might be just tax, but they may haul in the micras / polos / younger drivers.

channaigh

my friend got caught last night. Was told she was going to get a summonds to appear in court. I thought you just got a fine there and then? How long will they keep this up for is the question

SheroN

channaigh wrote: »

my friend got caught last night. Was told she was going to get a summonds to appear in court. I thought you just got a fine there and then? How long will they keep this up for is the question

It's not an on the spot fine. Did she have L plates up? Did she have a letter for a test?

channaigh

yea l plates up and letter with her they didn't care

SheroN

channaigh wrote: »

yea l plates up and letter with her they didn't care

Sounds pretty harsh.

snowy2008

did she definatly? the ball of stress im at the moment is getting bigger, stupid laws!

snowy2008

sorry i menat definatly have plates up and letter? i called the cops earlier and they said it would be ok, how did she get caught?

The Artist

channaigh wrote: »

yea l plates up and letter with her they didn't care

who didnt care?

SheroN

The Artist wrote: »

who didnt care?

Seemingly the cops.

channaigh

Yea she did i work with her she's in a state now. said the cop just keptn telling its the law and kept her on the side of road for 15 20 mintues.

Sounds like they intend to "make an example" of a few that are still driving alone, what are the chances of the case being persued to the end.

If you're lucky it may just be dropped to save the courts workload, as the main objective is to "educate" drivers that the loophole is shut!

TheNog

teresa2008 wrote: »

I need to drive from galway to dublin for the august bank holiday, do u think there might be checkpoints set up? i took down my l plates and im just chancing my arm, i still cant believe my tester called iun sick and there was no one to cover him, unreal!!!!!! how they expect to get thru that back log is beyond me

tbh i were you i'd take the train or bus. extra checkpoints will be on and we will looking for everything

The Artist

channaigh wrote: »

Yea she did i work with her she's in a state now. said the cop just keptn telling its the law and kept her on the side of road for 15 20 mintues.

The law is the learner driver must be accompanied by a full licenced driver.
Whether you have test comming up or not.

SheroN

The Artist wrote: »

The law is the learner driver must be accompanied by a full licenced driver.
Whether you have test comming up or not.

That is true. But it has been strongly hinted at that if you have a test upcoming in a few weeks a blind eye will be turned to it.

snowy2008

are you a garda by any chance? im just really uptight about the whole thing coz im in sales and my boss has strongly hinted if i dont get the test soon, i can look elsewhere for work, seriously thinking of going to lanzarote and working in a bar, irelands going so downhill

SheroN

I'm not a guard. I'm far too intelligent for that.

I don't like bacon and cabbage either.

If you have L plates up, a test letter and it gets sent to court. I honestly think the majority of such cases will be struck out (for the next few months anyway)

300,000 provisional drivers on the road...probably 100,000 of these are waiting for a test. The already struggling court system would go into melt down if all these cases ended up there.

snowy2008

this whole thing sucks, could be a blessing you know, the most exercise i get is walking to work, kick start the bikini diet, haha

SheroN

Yea it sucks alright. I'm lucky that I can walk to work so I only use my car at weekends.

The_Conductor

teresa2008 wrote: »

sorry i menat definatly have plates up and letter? i called the cops earlier and they said it would be ok, how did she get caught?

Regardless of whether one cop said it would be ok, or not- the simple fact is that its against the law. While you might get away with it from one cop- another is just as likely to throw the book at you. Do not assume that just because one cop said "a, shure, it'll be ok" that this lax attitude will be replicated across the board. Its EUR1000 fine for driving unaccompanied, and if you aren't displaying L Plates, another EUR1000.

techdiver

channaigh wrote: »

Yea she did i work with her she's in a state now. said the cop just keptn telling its the law and kept her on the side of road for 15 20 mintues.

It's a load of balls. The statement was that there would be a sensible and proportionate enforcement of the new laws.

This doesn't sound like that to me! Another gobs***te cop flexing his power trip muscles!

Tigger

warning

providing a letter and saying you are going to work may get you off handy if you are lucky
but

this weekend if your not working don't drive

SheroN

Tigger wrote: »

warning

providing a letter and saying you are going to work may get you off handy if you are lucky
but

this weekend if your not working don't drive

Or just don't drive this evening and wait untill tomorrow morning. As they'll be out in force this evening but not in the morning as there is rain forecasted.

bigpinkelephant

SheroN wrote: »

It's not an on the spot fine. Did she have L plates up? Did she have a letter for a test?

channaigh wrote: »

yea l plates up and letter with her they didn't care

`

The law states that the accompanier must be a fully licensed driver with a full license of 2+years, not a letter. I don't see how people think that having a letter in the car means they should get away with driving alone.

You've APPLIED for your test. You have to actually PASS it before you can drive on your own. Half the problem that caused all this is that in order to get another provisional all you had to do was apply for your test. People applied and then didn't show up or failed- hey presto, you had APPLIED so here is another license for another year. If people are let away with driving alone just because they have a letter then nothing will change.

DjDangerousDave

channaigh wrote: »

my friend got caught last night. Was told she was going to get a summonds to appear in court. I thought you just got a fine there and then? How long will they keep this up for is the question

About time I say. Maybe this will scare all the other permit holders off the road unless they have a qualified driver with them.

SheroN

bigpinkelephant wrote: »

`

The law states that the accompanier must be a fully licensed driver with a full license of 2+years, not a letter. I don't see how people think that having a letter in the car means they should get away with driving alone.

You've APPLIED for your test. You have to actually PASS it before you can drive on your own. Half the problem that caused all this is that in order to get another provisional all you had to do was apply for your test. People applied and then didn't show up or failed- hey presto, you had APPLIED so here is another license for another year. If people are let away with driving alone just because they have a letter then nothing will change.

Have you read the papers over the last few days? The guards and RSA have pretty much said it won't be a zero tolerance approach. They've done nothing but cause confusion about how the law will be enforced.

SheroN

bigpinkelephant wrote: »

`

The law states that the accompanier must be a fully licensed driver with a full license of 2+years, not a letter. I don't see how people think that having a letter in the car means they should get away with driving alone.

You've APPLIED for your test. You have to actually PASS it before you can drive on your own. Half the problem that caused all this is that in order to get another provisional all you had to do was apply for your test. People applied and then didn't show up or failed- hey presto, you had APPLIED so here is another license for another year. If people are let away with driving alone just because they have a letter then nothing will change.

Untill they have waiting times down to a week or two there should be some good will shown. There is still people waiting 10+ weeks.

The common sense answer to this would have been to state that all new "learner permits (second provisional)" issued after a certain date would prohibit unaccompanied driving - bringing them in line with the other provisional licenses.

The original 2nd provisionals would then "age out", at which point no one should be driving unaccompanied as having the full duration of two provisional licenses to pass their tests in.

But where is common sense

Tigger

SheroN wrote: »

Or just don't drive this evening and wait untill tomorrow morning. As they'll be out in force this evening but not in the morning as there is rain forecasted.

yes rain is handy

lol

The_Conductor

Deleted User wrote: »

The common sense answer to this would have been to state that all new "learner permits (second provisional)" issued after a certain date would prohibit unaccompanied driving - bringing them in line with the other provisional licenses.

The original 2nd provisionals would then "age out", at which point no one should be driving unaccompanied as having the full duration of two provisional licenses to pass their tests in.

But where is common sense

I disagree- after 2 years, or however long- we'd be back in the same situation yet again- with people calling for an amnesty for people who held the old provisional licences, but a crackdown on the new learners permits......

It really is high time that we actually enforced the rules of the road here. Ourselves, the Italians and the Portuguese are the laughing stock of the rest of the continent.

The only reason we're actually getting rid of the provisional licences at all, is because the EU are forcing us to.

smccarrick

smccarrick wrote: »

I disagree- after 2 years, or however long- we'd be back in the same situation yet again- with people calling for an amnesty for people who held the old provisional licences, but a crackdown on the new learners permits......

No because it will be made known to all prov license holders that when this one (2nd prov) expires then no unaccompanied driving at all, all other prov license holders would be reminded that they can't drive unaccompanied.

This way there is no sharp cut off, just that enforecment will be easy after a certain date.

A bit like red number plates on cars.

The_Conductor

And how does that differ from the current situation- you are legally not entitled to drive alone, unless you have a full licence. You must be accompanied by a fully licenced driver of at least 2 years, if driving on a learners permit. Its there black and white- like the switch over from the number plates that you referred to. In addition- they also gave people an 8 month run-in period to get their houses in order. Simple as. If people decided to not do their test, or failed it- they should not be driving unaccompanied on the road. Its black and white.....


Ps- the second provisional opt out was the biggest joke ever. I've an aunt who was on her 11th provisional licence- she just couldn't have been bothered doing the test. When push came to a shove- she did it, and passed it on her second attempt.

People always assume that there will be "an understanding" that the law won't be enforced or that exceptions will be made. Why should there be? If you want to drive on the road- make sure you are competent to do so- and then, and only then, organise your test and hopefully pass it.

Fair enough, It's just that learners should have been better educated into knowing that the end was nigh earlier, to reduce the number of them being caught out at the last minute.

The_Conductor

Deleted User wrote: »

Fair enough, It's just that learners should have been better educated into knowing that the end was nigh earlier, to reduce the number of them being caught out at the last minute.

Well- it was only ever the second provisional license holders who were exempt from having a fully licensed driver with them- from memory this group were less than 18% of those on provisional licenses. Everyone else was breaking the law if they drove unaccompanied. The insurance companies are more to the blame than anyone else, by issuing public assurances that people were insured, irrespective of their license status, or whether they were driving accompanied or alone. They bear a lot of the blame. However at the end of the day almost 83% of provisional license holders were breaking the law, plain and simple. It was inevitable that it was going to catch up with them eventually......

TheNog

SheroN wrote: »

Have you read the papers over the last few days? The guards and RSA have pretty much said it won't be a zero tolerance approach. They've done nothing but cause confusion about how the law will be enforced.

I think it was made fairly clear by the gardai and the rsa. There will be no zero tolerance but if a learner/provisional driver is caught say speeding, dangerous driving or drink driving then they will be done for not having an unaccompanied driver with them.

Also those who do not display L plates will be frowned upon cos they are trying to be deceitful. Best to display and abide by the rules of the road until you get the test done which should be booked and passed in the very near future.

SheroN wrote: »

cause confusion about how the law will be enforced.

If people tried their very best to comply with traffic laws they wont have to worry about we apply the law. Lets us worry about that

Steve

Deleted User wrote: »

Fair enough, It's just that learners should have been better educated into knowing that the end was nigh earlier, to reduce the number of them being caught out at the last minute.

Hang on, it's not like this was announced last week - in fairness, it's been in the media since the start of the year.

Do you not think that was enough notice?

Steve

TheNog wrote: »

Also those who do not display L plates will be frowned upon cos they are trying to be deceitful.

And rightfully so.

taidghbaby

TheNog wrote: »

Also those who do not display L plates will be frowned upon cos they are trying to be deceitful.

aye....you can break the law, but dont try to pull the wool over me eyes!!!

Fizman

Sigh....When I read the title of the thread I was hoping that finally there might be some info on check-point locations or personal experiences regarding meeting the guards while unaccompanied. Alas, after skimming through 4-5 pages there was not one post relating to the thread title, just lots of waffle that has been posted in numerous threads already. No wonder a thread like this can't last longer than 20 posts in motors.
Pity.

/End rant

Degsy

I havnt taken my L-plates down and i'm waiting on my second test.I passed two cop cars and a motorbike guard doing a speed check under a bridge today and they didnt stop me or hassle me in any way.I honestly think they guards have enough to be doing without hassling learner drivers provided you dont come to thier attention in some stupid way.Obviously i dont want to tempt fate and i just want to get the test passed so i can stop driving on tenterhooks.

peachystarr

Keep your L plates up people because thats what you are Learners until you prove your compatancy to a tester you are not qualified to drive alone. Stop breaking the law, it will be enforced slowly and in a few years we will wonder how it was ever any other way. You wouldnt smoke in a pub now and look at all the talk people went on with when the ban came in saying it wouldnt work, well it has and perfectly.