Sir, - Michael Kemp ("Safer roads would lower insurance", August 30th) lists various reasons why car insurance is so high in Ireland. How often have similar articles appeared in this paper? The reason is, as always, that Ireland is 10 years behind the rest of Europe.
Only in Ireland are young drivers allowed to purchase a provisional licence entitling them to drive unaccompanied on the road without having any experience. Therefore, the reason why there is daily slaughter on Irish roads is clear. In Germany, for example (as in many European countries), learner drivers must undertake a minimum number of driving lessons that cover night, motorway and town driving. The driving schools are officially recognised by the state and they conduct the driving tests (no waiting list here!). Pupils must also write theory tests, which consist of 50 questions. In most cases pupils pass on the first attempt (on average 95 per cent) so there is no opportunity for moneymaking as there is at home where many find themselves doing the test three or four times.
The fact that Ireland has been allowed by the EU to continue with such a relaxed system for so long is astounding. How many more road fatalities will it take before the Government realises it is responsible? Of course, many insurance companies would lose a lot of precious business if these provisional motorists were removed from the road overnight, as would the Government by way of motor taxation. - Yours, etc.,
Conor O'Sullivan, Hochstrasse, Munich, Germany.