:: press release ::

Tuesday June 24, 2008

ROSS WELCOMES GDL SUPPORT 

Stormont Environment Committee Member Alastair Ross MLA has welcomed support from new DoE Minister Sammy Wilson for the graduated drivers licensing scheme in the chamber this afternoon.  
 

During questions on road safety Mr Ross asked the Minister if he supported the GDL scheme, which has dramatically reduced road fatalities elsewhere in the world, and asked when the consultation will be launched.  
 

Commenting outside the chamber Mr Ross said,  
 

“I welcome the support for GDL from the Minister, who confirmed that his department will be launching a consultation on GDL later this month. The Minister also said that people in Northern Ireland will get their say on the parts of GDL that could be adopted here and said he recognised the role that the scheme could play in reducing road deaths.” 
 

Mr Ross continued,  
 

“Northern Ireland has an unacceptably high number of road deaths and serious road accidents when compared to other regions of the UK. It is therefore of paramount importance that we take practical steps that will have a positive impact on reducing road deaths and serious accidents.   
 

A graduated licensing scheme for Northern Ireland could see the introduction of a statutory minimum period of supervised learning, a total ban on alcohol consumption when driving and additional restrictions on novice drivers .    
 

Whilst I accept that some of the measures may not be popular with young people, any measures that will reduce the carnage on our roads and save lives must be given detailed consideration.”