In the E.U., despite attempts at standardisation of many regulations including the areas of Driving and Driving Tests the gap between compliant Nations and particularly new entrants to the E.U family seem to be growing further apart. This is particularly evident in Ireland where there is explosive growth in immigrant numbers. The fact that most of these immigrants are emanating from countries where there are very few adequate Driving regulations only adds to the growing number of fatalities on the roads.

The number is growing exponentially due to the failure of the Authorities to put in place an enforceable and achievable regime. Unfortunately there are few votes to be had in Road Safety but many to be gained in Job creation.

We are creating many new jobs and filling them with migrant workers only to be shipping these same workers home in boxes since we have no real Road Regulation enforcement!

With the ever increasing number of road accidents culminating in not just tragic deaths but many life changing injuries, it is essential to train with a Professional Driving School! This is a costly exercise but will be repaid in time since you will be much less likely to be involved in one of the constant daily incidents (AKA Accidents !) most of which are TOTALLY avoidable ! !

A Professional School will teach you above and beyond the current standards required to pass the Driving Test! The Current Driving Test regulations, while a significant improvement on previous years, still have a long way to go before reaching the top of the European ladder!

It is anticipated that Mandatory Tuition will be introduced for Car Drivers before very long! It is imminent for Motorcyclists and as I write this page there have been nine fatalities in the last 24 hours ......... two of these tragedies involved Motorcycles!

Since the start of 2006 in just 10 weeks we have lost 80 lives on the roads here in Ireland. This is not a figure to be glossed over and needs to be contained by Professional Tuition and Law Enforcement.

To give you an example of a top European Standard, take Germany for instance.......Here one has to complete fifty hours of tuition (yes 50 ! ) before you are allowed to sit the Driving Test! This comprises 25 hours of Theory and 25 hours of Practical! As a Parent who has needed the services of two Au-Pairs in the last few years, both of whom were German, I can honestly say that their standard of Driving was so far ahead of the average Irish Driver it was embarrassing. Both these Girls were 21 years old with full German Licenses and had been driving on these for approximately 18 months!

All the recent changes to the Driving Test and those coming in the future are as a result of E.U.Directives which have to be implemented by the Government and are really long overdue.

Copyright- Astral School of Motoring 2006