A mandatory “refresher test” for all motorists renewing their driving licence could help cut road deaths, the Labour Party has suggested. 

Last year, 174 people died on Irish roads and the Government passed new legislation in order to enhance road safety. 

On The Hard Shoulder, Labour TD and transport spokesperson Ciarán Ahern said far more needs to be done. 

“Ireland is an outlier in Europe - as our road deaths have increased between 2019 and 2022,” he said.  

“So, I’m open to all suggestions as to how we improve road safety and among those, we need to increase road maintenance across the country. 

“We need more enforcement of the existing rules of the road [and] reducing speed limits will play a part as well. 

“In my view, driver education must also play a part.” 

Traffic on a motorway. Picture by: Leon Farrell/RollingNews

Deputy Ahern said he was glad his suggestion had caught people’s “imaginations” and noted some professionals - such as hauliers - already have to sit refresher courses. 

“So, what I’m talking about is a refresher test once every 10-years when someone is renewing their licence - at no extra cost,” he said. 

“Probably a short online quiz that you would take to make sure that you’re uptodate and au fait with the rules and practices of the road that may have changed in the 10-years since you [got] your licence.” 

If they fail the refresher course, Deputy Ahern said they would still get their licence but it would get them “thinking about road safety”. 

Cars on the main street in Bangor County Down. Picture by: Radharc Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Opposing the idea, Independent Ireland TD Richard O'Donoghue said he did not think it was a practica idea. 

“We don’t have the supports to do things like this at the moment,” he said. 

“Some people are waiting up to six months to get their driving test at the moment.”

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Main image: A man behind the wheel of a car. Picture by: Libby Welch / Alamy Stock Photo