The number of fines issued to learner drivers in Kerry has dropped over a twelve month period.
That’s according to Garda figures, obtained by Fianna Fáil councillor for the Kenmare MD, Tommy Cahill.
The data shows that nationally, there has been a reduction in fixed charge notices issued to learner drivers.
According to the figures, as of the end of June, the number of fines issued to learner drivers in Kerry for driving unaccompanied has dropped by almost 30%.
58 fixed charged notices were issued between April and the end of June, down from 82 in the second quarter of 2024.
It also represents a quarter-on-quarter reduction of 16%, with 69 fines for driving unaccompanied issued between January and March.
The number of vehicles of detained from unaccompanied learner drivers in the county has halved in the 12 months to the end of June.
18 were seized by Gardaí during the second quarter of this year, down from 36 on the same period last year.
It’s also a quarter-on-quarter decrease of 28%, down from 25 cars detained in Q1.
There was an over 42% drop in Kerry on the number of fines for the non-display of L-plates.
25 were issued as of the end of June, down from 42 the previous year.
However, there was a quarter-on-quarter rise of 8%, up from 23 in the first quarter of this year.
Cllr Tommy Cahill says the figures show a strong improvement in learner-driver compliance in Kerry.
He added that new learner-driver legislation will encourage more people in the county to complete driver training and get fully licensed.
Cllr Cahill stressed it’s vital that the RSA provides enough testing capacity at centres in Kerry so that those waiting for a test aren’t delayed for months.
