Unaccompanied learner in Tipperary faces charges after being caught speeding while drug driving. Car seized by Gardaí.
The driver was a learner, driving alone. They failed a drug test, testing positive for cannabis. The car had no insurance and was untaxed. The tax was overdue for over 400 days.
Police arrested the driver and took the car. Now, they face fines, points, and jail. Driving under the influence could mean a €5,000 fine and six months in jail. A driving ban is also guaranteed.
Driving without insurance could mean a similar fine and comes with five points and maybe jail. The jail term is only for serious cases. Driving alone as a learner brings a €160 fine, adding two points to their permit.
The untaxed car can be impounded. They must pay all back taxes to get it back. Tax arrears dated back to early 2024 here. Police recently caught several learners in Cork. Two learners in Midleton also failed drug tests, confirming drug use.
Unsupervised learner drivers are up in Cork city, increasing by 63% in a single year. More learners failed to display ‘L’ plates, rising from 58 to 83.
An MEP urges parents to be more careful, saying learners lack driving skill and need more experience when driving. This lack of skill leads to accidents. Unsupervised learner drivers are a danger, endangering themselves and other people.