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Doom and zombie scrolling 'Some believe humans go through 300 feet of content in a single day'

Dr. Catherine Conlon examines how most of us are unable to put down our phones and asks if constantly scrolling is really helping us.

WHAT IS THE first thing you do when you wake up in the morning? If you’re like the majority, you will reach for your phone and engage in a spot of doom scrolling — scanning the headlines in the various news outlets that compete to catch your eye with the latest news.

Wars rage, stocks sink, tariffs teeter, while low pressure approaches from the southwest and threatens to submerge the country in mist, drizzle and gloom.

girl-looking-her-smart-phone-doom-scrolling-on-bed-in-the-middle-of-the-night-technology-at-bed-concept Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

I am one of the millions that wake up every morning, and apart from a quick detour to the kitchen for a hot coffee, I return to bed with my phone while I put my brain on hold.

Doom scrolling

It’s an understandable urge. The world is in a precarious place with wars, climate disasters and migration filling the news feed with horror, negativity and intolerance. Many of us fall for the clickbait and refresh our feeds constantly for the latest update.

As social, political and economic unrest continues to spiral, doomscrolling is now emerging as a significant threat to our physical and mental health.

‘It has been one onslaught after other,’ lecturer in the Division of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Dr Aditi Nerurkar told Harvard Health.

‘Our brains and bodies are expertly designed to handle short bursts of stress. But over the past several years, the stress just doesn’t seem to end. Doomscrolling is our response to that.’

thoughtful-middle-aged-man-doom-scrolls-through-phone-at-home Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Doom scrolling is rooted in the area of the brain called the amygdala, that promotes self-preservation and drives the fight or flight response to danger, reminding us to be vigilant for threats.

‘Stress strokes our primary urge to scroll,’ suggests Dr Nerurkar. ‘We’re hypervigilant and scanning for danger. The more you scroll, the more you feel you need to.’

Women are more vulnerable to scrolling than men because of their tendency to nurture and protect, while much of the violence portrayed in newsfeeds involves women and children.

medical-illustration-shows-the-major-organs-of-the-limbic-system-of-the-human-brain-with-annotations Doom scrolling is rooted in the 'fight or flight' centre, the amygdala. Alamy Stock Vector Alamy Stock Vector

But doom scrolling has the potential to have a long-term impact on our well-being. Nausea, headaches, muscle tension, low appetite, difficulty sleeping, even high blood pressure, according to experts at Harvard.

A research review in Applied Quality of Life (2023) that analysed three separate studies involving 1,200 adults suggested that doomscrolling is linked to worse mental well-being and life satisfaction.

Another paper in Computers in Human Behaviour (2024) reported that doomscrolling was linked to increased levels of existential anxiety – a feeling of dread or panic that arises with the suggestion that life as we know it is about to end.

Zombie scrolling

A similar phenomenon to doom scrolling is zombie scrolling. I am not a particular fan of bad news, but I do engage in a bit of zombie scrolling – much more than is good for me.

I make excuses. ‘I’m working.’ ‘I’m researching.’ ‘I’m looking for news hooks for something I want to write about.’

It’s all lies. I’m zombie scrolling like the rest of us. And I am not alone. Neither is it confined to the early morning hours. My phone is on the desk at work. Break times are spent scrolling the most recent health reports, while the latest news floats in and out of my feed, distracting me with its intoxicating mix of disaster, revelation and shock.

top-view-young-woman-uses-smartphone-in-bed-at-night-when-her-male-partner-trying-to-fall-asleep-beside-couple-fight-argue-addictive-world-of-social-media-doom-scrolling-fake-news Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Zombie Scrolling Syndrome refers to habitual mindless scrolling with no real destination or benefits. There is evidence that this behaviour could be linked to mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety.

Signs of zombie scrolling include an inability to be away from your phone and even ignoring personal hygiene due to technology overuse.

We all know that feeling. Recently, on transferring my sim card into a newly purchased smartphone, a technological hitch caused me to be without my phone for two days. I can admit to feeling acute anxiety and unease, only relieved by an expert in the nearest phone shop agreeing to complete the operation for a fee which I would gladly have tripled if it meant restoring my precious device in good order.

Are you a doom or a zombie scroller? If so, it may be impacting your health in ways that you do not realise. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to prise yourself away from what has become an addiction.

One estimate suggests that the average person scrolls through 300 feet of content in a single day. What keeps us so glued to our phones? The answer, like most things, is in our brain.

That dopamine hit

Like mice in a lab, pulling a lever in the hope of a reward, we click on news stories in the hope of a hit that releases that pleasure hormone, dopamine, in our brain. It is the random nature of these rewards that sparks the habitual nature of scrolling – never quite sure when that dopamine hit is going to occur.

We are most likely to revert to zombie scrolling in awkward situations. Sitting alone in a café or a pub, waiting in a queue, sitting on a bus – all those moments when we relieve our anxiety by a spot of zombie checking.

couple-smartphone-and-conflict-in-bed-ignore-and-annoyed-with-reading-chat-or-social-media-addiction-in-home-man-woman-and-doom-scrolling-with Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

But this type of scrolling impacts our health as well. Facebook’s own research found that Instagram – which is used by almost three-quarters (71%) of young adults according to research from the UK Pew Research Centre, negatively impacts mental health. The research suggests that this is because the carefully curated images on the app elicit feelings of negativity and inferiority.

The other side of zombie scrolling is the impact on what we could be doing otherwise. That hour in bed in the morning could be spent out in the fresh air, walking to work, an early morning swim or even an extra hour of sleep.

How often do we walk into a restaurant and see couples or families, all zombie scrolling? All those interactions and experiences that could be happening – lost in the ether of endless clickbait, blocking real interactions between people who are losing the ability to connect emotionally.

young-femle-hipster-chatting-on-cell-phone-online-with-her-friends-and-listening-to-music-pretty-woman-reading-text-message-on-her-cell-phone-while-r Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Zombie scrolling has after effects too – eye strain, brain fatigue (or ‘brain rot’), difficulty focusing and symptoms of addiction.

There are things we can do to cut back and lose the addiction while still staying abreast of the news. What is needed are digital boundaries that give the brain a chance to recalibrate.

The experts suggest keeping your phone out of reach at night, preferably out of the bedroom altogether. Similarly, in the workplace, the phone could be kept on mute and in a drawer.

Don’t bring your phone to the dinner table or into a restaurant or café, especially if you are in company. Switch your phone to grayscale so that it doesn’t light up every time you hit a news story. Opt out of notifications, including headlines and emails, to help you resist the urge to constantly zone in on the latest beep that registers a new notification.

Other measures include taking up new activities that keep you active and interested while defining a time and place for catching up on the news.

The bottom line is taking back control – you are in charge of your phone and your time, rather than your phone being in charge of you.

Limiting the time and place for scrolling makes it all the more engaging when you do get around to it, giving it the time and space in your life that it deserves.

Dr Catherine Conlon is a public health doctor in Cork.

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    Mute Vincent B
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    May 14th 2025, 7:04 PM

    How about teaching learners to drive on a motorway with proper lane use. It’s crazy that you can pass your test and drive home on a motorway for the first time on your own.

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    Mute Jp Cleary
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    May 14th 2025, 7:07 PM

    @Vincent B: you can also fall your test and still drive home.

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    Mute Alan
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    May 14th 2025, 8:28 PM

    @Jp Cleary: add parking to the test. Unaccompanied learner drivers is a bad bad idea

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    Mute Mic JHintl
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    May 14th 2025, 8:43 PM

    @Alan: as a professional driver I very rarely come across learner drivers that creat problems. Usually the L or N on the back gives me ample warning I need to be careful. On the other hand the amount of novice full licensed lunatics i meet daily is truly astonishing. And these clowns think just because they passed their driving test they can drive.

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    Mute Setanta O'Toole
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    May 14th 2025, 9:17 PM

    @Vincent B: you can’t. Learners aren’t allowed drive on a motorway even with a full licensed driver in the car afaik.

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    Mute cormac staunton
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    May 14th 2025, 9:21 PM

    @Jp Cleary: only if accompanied by a full licensed driver!

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    Mute Larry Betts
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    May 14th 2025, 9:27 PM

    @Mic JHintl: An L or a N means nothing on a car. A fully licensed driver can drive their own car,but those plates are attached so when their child drives that car on their own they are covered. These signs are not attached and removed depending on who is driving. I take notice of all drivers,signs or not. Always expect the unexpected

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    Mute Leonard Barry
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    May 14th 2025, 10:06 PM

    @Vincent B: Plenty of qualified drivers that are clueless as to how to use a motorway properly, see it every day.

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    Mute Paul Linehan
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    May 14th 2025, 10:14 PM

    @Setanta O’Toole: Actually they are allowed drive on a motorway if accompanied by the holder of a full driving licence that has no restrictions. (1) if diverted due to an emergency, or (2) if directed by a member of An Garda Síochána. The speed limits of the motorway will be restricted as appropriate and they should exit the motorway at the firstavailable exit….. But I’m sure you knew this, like you know everything else (not).

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    Mute Setanta O'Toole
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    May 14th 2025, 10:37 PM

    @Paul Linehan: So, only in completely different circumstances to the one the original post mentioned? Not much of a gotcha. I’m not a driving instructor Paul, but glad to know I rattled you earlier.

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    Mute Setanta O'Toole
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    May 14th 2025, 10:39 PM

    @Paul Linehan: So, only in completely different circumstances to the one the original post mentioned then? Not much of a gotcha. I’m not a driving instructor Paul, but glad to know you are still rattled from earlier.

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    Mute Paul Linehan
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    May 14th 2025, 10:57 PM

    @Setanta O’Toole: Not rattled, just calling out your BS posts. Parenting and driving are obviously not your strong points.

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    Mute Setanta O'Toole
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    May 14th 2025, 11:22 PM

    @Paul Linehan: rattled.

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    Mute John Smith
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    May 15th 2025, 2:14 AM

    @Vincent B: Actually you can’t. Technically you can’t drive on a motorway until you have your license in hand.

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    Mute Jack
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    May 15th 2025, 7:14 AM

    @Vincent B: motorways are the safest place for any driver. It’s the country roads they should have assistance on.

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    Mute king kong
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    May 15th 2025, 9:03 AM

    @Larry Betts: Even with an L plate a learner can not drive on their own. An N plate indicates the driver has passed test in previous 12 months.

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    Mute Felix Nzekwe II
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    May 16th 2025, 8:50 AM

    @Leonard Barry: many a driver swerving through lanes with no indicators

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    Mute Felix Nzekwe II
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    May 16th 2025, 8:59 AM

    @Jp Cleary: as i have after getting a test cancelled for a faulty brake light. Solid.

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    Mute Anthony Corbett
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    May 14th 2025, 7:25 PM

    As a 43 year old man who just learned how to drive, i think it would make more common sense for my driving instructor to complete my driving test after my 12 lessons. My instructor has seen my progress, assessed my skill at the recommended manoeuvres, assessed my night time driving, and has spent 12 hours with me in a car. Im waiting in my test now 7 months, its absolutely shocking

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    Mute Basildon Joe
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    May 14th 2025, 8:36 PM

    @Anthony Corbett: you should be driving well before that age. Why such a delay?

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    Mute Sean Reddin
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    May 14th 2025, 8:45 PM

    @Basildon Joe: I would say that’s none of your business

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    Mute Basildon Joe
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    May 14th 2025, 9:11 PM

    @Sean Reddin: if he’s on the public road it is indeed everyone’s business

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    Mute P. V. Aglue
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    May 14th 2025, 9:13 PM

    @Anthony Corbett: you need to do 100 hrs driving, so you can be an auto pilot in the car and reflexs become habit and anticipate what other road users are going to do. And remember, an indicator light is just a flashing amber light, it means nothing in court.

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    Mute Larry Betts
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    May 14th 2025, 9:31 PM

    @Basildon Joe: No he shouldn’t have to explain. Stop trying to look for sympathy votes

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    Mute Oh Mammy
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    May 14th 2025, 9:37 PM

    @Basildon Joe: where did he say he was on the road before he learned to drive?

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    Mute Larry Betts
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    May 14th 2025, 9:53 PM

    @Oh Mammy: it didn’t. B Jo just trying to stir up trouble

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    Mute Darth O'Leary
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    May 14th 2025, 9:57 PM

    @Basildon Joe: If there was a license requirement for posting comments you wouldn’t have gotten past the theory test

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    Mute Mary
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    May 15th 2025, 12:04 AM

    @Basildon Joe: Of course it’s not everyone’s business when a person decides when to learn to drive.

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    Mute Gerry Murphy
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    May 15th 2025, 12:19 AM

    @Basildon Joe: Irrelevant

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    Mute Oweke 68
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    May 15th 2025, 12:53 AM

    @Anthony Corbett: I am driving longer than you are alive and I was told by an instructor way back then. A driving test is 30 minutes you have to behave while driving . When you have an instructor in the car you are a good boy. What are you like when he is gone . I drive for a living btw. So I think I know how to drive by now . But every day is a school day.

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    Mute William McSweeney
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    May 15th 2025, 7:45 AM

    @Basildon Joe: you sound just like a guy I work with. Nobody likes him.
    Now mind your own business

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    Mute Tony Murphy
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    May 15th 2025, 11:28 AM

    @Anthony Corbett: now that’s a good idea.

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    Mute John Moylan
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    May 15th 2025, 2:47 PM

    @Basildon Joe: no it isn’t, any more than it ours to know yours. Unless you a member of AGS, then you’re ‘entitled’ to GTFO, frankly.

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    Mute J H
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    May 15th 2025, 3:23 PM

    @Anthony Corbett: How would you feel if you driving instructor failed you?

    1
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    Mute Mary Linton
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    May 14th 2025, 7:10 PM

    Perhaps this minister, before uttering populaist sound bites, should meet up & have a coffee with North Cork farmer Noel Clancy that lost his beautiful wife & and daughter to an unaccompanied driver in 2015.

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    Mute qffaffaf affrafrfraf
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    May 14th 2025, 7:15 PM

    @Mary Linton: accidents will always happen, thats life. How about we ban everyone from driving cars and then nobody will die in car accidents — we’ll just walk everywhere, can’t have anyone getting in bike accidents either. If there’s any accidents while we walk we’ll just stop getting out of bed altogether – then there’ll be no accidents.

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    Mute Shane Kinsella (Kinsey)
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    May 14th 2025, 7:20 PM

    @Mary Linton: what’s your suggestion then for rural people learning to drive when they have no accompanying driver in the house.
    It’s a legitimate problem.

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    Mute John Doe
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    May 14th 2025, 7:21 PM

    @Mary Linton: should he also meet up with people who have lost loved ones to full licenced drivers? Or does it not matter cause they had a full licence, somehow they’re expendable are they?

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    Mute Paddy Cullen
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    May 14th 2025, 7:49 PM

    @Shane Kinsella (Kinsey): if you can’t drive you shouldn’t be driving, learner licence is there so you can learn, you’re not learning on your own

    34
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    Mute Stiles
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    May 14th 2025, 7:57 PM

    @Mary Linton: shut up mary

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    Mute Dvsespaña
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    May 14th 2025, 7:58 PM

    @Mary Linton: The tragic loss of his wife and daughter was no doubt a horrendous personal loss for Noel Clancy, but should we continously ammend all laws and their enforcement based on singular incidents, without considering the wider context and negative impacts on a much larger section of society?

    The reality is that the knee jerk changing of the law around unaccompanied learner drivers in 2015, hasn’t reduced road deaths in the slightest, meaning that the Clancy ammendment didn’t deliver any of the the alleged benefits and has only delivered inconvenience for provisional drivers and their families living in rural areas.

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    Mute Kev Kerr
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    May 14th 2025, 8:13 PM

    @Mary Linton: surprise surprise, but it’s you who is taking the populist position, not the TD

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    Mute Trevor Donoghue
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    May 14th 2025, 8:50 PM

    @Shane Kinsella (Kinsey): Just do what the rest of us did, Drive with the instructor until you pass your test, How did they manage to deal with it before they were even old enough to drive? But i do admit that the test wait times are a joke

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    Mute John Roberts
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    May 14th 2025, 11:31 PM

    @qffaffaf affrafrfraf: don’t be a dumbass, we can always do better.

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    Mute Bennett blaster
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    May 14th 2025, 11:44 PM

    @qffaffaf affrafrfraf: tell that to the families of the 174 people killed on Irish roads last year. Careless driving, speeding, drink driving, phone use, aren’t accidents. Drivers need to start being held responsible for these deaths. Every unaccompanied learner that kills someone, Cathal should take the blame.

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    Mute Michael Dineen
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    May 15th 2025, 10:25 AM

    @qffaffaf affrafrfraf: No, accidents do not happen, they are caused. There is always a cause. Not sure if you will understand that though.

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    Mute Oweke 68
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    May 15th 2025, 10:44 AM

    @qffaffaf affrafrfraf: trains buses bicycles.

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    Mute John Moylan
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    May 15th 2025, 2:48 PM

    @Mary Linton: what about all those killed by drunk drivers then – when is Prohibition on alcohol coming in ?

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    Mute Oh Mammy
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    May 14th 2025, 6:59 PM

    Fffg, perpetual learners, driving government. We know what can go wrong. Get your act together and get people licensed? Are you that clueless?

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    Mute Shane Kinsella (Kinsey)
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    May 14th 2025, 7:16 PM

    So how do you learn to drive when you live down the backarse of nowhere and no one else in the house drives ?

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    Mute Alan
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    May 14th 2025, 7:37 PM

    @Shane Kinsella (Kinsey): Driving lessons.
    Pilots licenses have similar requirements.
    Should we let people who have planes fly unaccompanied if on a learners plate cos there’s no pilot in the house?

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    Mute Dereck
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    May 14th 2025, 7:41 PM

    @Shane Kinsella (Kinsey): By registeting wiith a driving school and being taught how to drive by a qualified instructor. Just like in almost all developed countries. The driving instructor can even collect you at your house.

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    Mute Seriously Really
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    May 14th 2025, 7:43 PM

    @Shane Kinsella (Kinsey): You plan!

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    Mute Trevor Donoghue
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    May 14th 2025, 8:52 PM

    @Shane Kinsella (Kinsey): They are called driving instructors, they will even provide a car and insurance for you to learn, that’s what everyone in my family did.

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    Mute Dia M
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    May 15th 2025, 6:08 AM

    @Shane Kinsella (Kinsey): the same way I did. I was in that situation just last year. I had no car. Nobody in the house drives or has a car. I practiced when I was with an instructor twice a week until I did the test.

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    Mute Felix Nzekwe II
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    May 16th 2025, 8:54 AM

    @Shane Kinsella (Kinsey): according to the law its screw you stay home until you finally get someone to accompany you. Hopefully you haven’t regressed to base level by then requiring you to spend more on instructors

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    Mute Dvsespaña
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    May 14th 2025, 7:46 PM

    I find myself in the unfortunate position of agreeing with a FF politician…

    The previous system of allowing learner drivers to drive unaccompanied functioned perfectly fine, the majority of learner drivers drove safely and they learnt more by driving in their own in the real world, than by having occasional one hour lessons and or by being dependent on family members to act as their qualified accompanying driver.

    One tragic incident in which a mother and daughter died in 2015 prompted the change in the law, known as the Clancy ammendment, it hasn’t had any noticeable impact on reducing road deaths.

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    Mute Dvsespaña
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    May 14th 2025, 7:47 PM

    But has negatively impacted numerous young provisional drivers in their daily lives, especially in rural areas with zero public transport, where they can’t have a family member accompanying them travelling to and from work, going out to socialise, etc, forcing them into breaking the law, risking both prosecution and having their car seized.

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    Mute Stephen Wallis
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    May 14th 2025, 10:16 PM

    @Dvsespaña: The previous system of provisional licensing, where you were allowed to drive unaccompanied after the first year, but were then required to be accompanied again at the end of the second year, was good when used correctly, and I benefitted from it in the early 90′s, being able to gain experience after initial lessons, before taking the test, but it had to go because it was being widely abused by people who would forever claim that they were in their second year, and would either repeatedly fail the test, or never even apply. Apart from the 2015 tragedy itself, figures were showing that unaccompanied learners were disproportionately involved in collisions.

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    Mute John Roberts
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    May 14th 2025, 7:12 PM

    It’s 200 in total not an extra 200. The RSA and dept under Eamon Ryan made a mess of this over years. Speak to any ADI find out the facts on the ground.

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    May 15th 2025, 1:30 PM

    @John Roberts: You called out the person responsible for a lot of the problems we now face! Eamon Ryan! the minister for cyclists!

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    Mute Kevin Daly
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    May 14th 2025, 7:58 PM

    I agree. As a 38 year old learner driver who has no family at all ( grew up in care) I have noone to sit with me in my car and my wife has one sister who is a full license driver yet she doesn’t have time to come everywhere with me. I get the rule for 16 to 25 year olds but older ones like myself shouldn’t have to abide by this rule

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    Mute Trevor Donoghue
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    May 14th 2025, 8:54 PM

    @Kevin Daly: You can hire these people called driving instructors, and as a bonus, they will even have a car for you to use and on top of that, they even have insurance for you,

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    Mute Kevin Daly
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    May 14th 2025, 10:14 PM

    @Trevor Donoghue: I already pay one and also I have my car and insurance and tax. It’s a ridiculous rule tbh

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    Mute Seriously Really
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    May 15th 2025, 5:59 AM

    @Kevin Daly: It may be ridiculous in your situation. But the current system save lives. Should the whole system change for a small percentage, when lives are on the line?

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    Mute Kevin Daly
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    May 15th 2025, 7:34 AM

    @Seriously Really: well in all fairness. The amount of times I’ve had to beep or out in the brakes wasn’t because of myself or another learner it was due to a full license holder driving well over the limit past me or braking suddenly because they were not laying attention or too impatient. Ive has drivers pass me on 60 mph roads even though I was driving at least 53 mph. It’s the full drivers that you mostly need to watch out for tbh.

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    Mute Felix Nzekwe II
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    May 16th 2025, 9:36 AM

    @Seriously Really: does it save lives? Far as I know the vast majority of fatalities include licenced drivers rather than learners.

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    Mute ecrowley ecrowley
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    May 14th 2025, 7:15 PM

    I can sort of empathise, especially in rural areas. Learner drivers should be more proficient when they get the permit though.

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    Mute qffaffaf affrafrfraf
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    May 14th 2025, 7:13 PM

    He’s right, ridiculous rule that makes it impossible to learn unless you have a family member in the car with you constantly. Not everyone has that luxury

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    Mute Joe Beirne
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    May 14th 2025, 8:01 PM

    @qffaffaf affrafrfraf: tough so isn’t it, the law doesn’t apply to a portion of the population.

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    Mute Nick Vasilakis
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    May 15th 2025, 10:25 AM

    @qffaffaf affrafrfraf: Doesn’t have to be a family member. But it is totally reasonable that someone who doesn’t know how to drive shouldn’t be driving unaccompanied. Yes. It affects country dwellers disproportionately. That’s law for you.
    It’s not beyond people in country areas to set up a group of qualified drivers to help these young people.
    If you can’t drive, your parents can’t drive you, there’s no public transport and you can’t afford a flat near a Uni., are you wise wanting to go there?
    Better wait, earn some money, and go when you can.

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    Mute Seriously Really
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    May 14th 2025, 7:46 PM

    Speaking of driving… I believe all e-scooter drivers should be required to register their scooter, have insurance, sign a contract of understanding that they understand the rules of the road.

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    Mute Larry Betts
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    May 14th 2025, 9:17 PM

    @Seriously Really: I was on the Stillorgan dual carriageway yesterday,if that’s what it’s called. An e-scooter bombing along,lights turned red,sailed through them. I stopped,and blew the horn at him,he didn’t inconvenience me,but I was warning him of the stupidity of his actions. The traffic that had a legal right of way had to pause until he passed. He turned around and gave me abuse. It’s this attitude that’s sickening.

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    Mute Seriously Really
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    May 14th 2025, 10:04 PM

    @Larry Betts: There is nothing to reign e-scooter user in… I guess the death rate must increase before action is taken.

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    May 15th 2025, 1:32 PM

    @Seriously Really: The legislation on e-scooters and e-bikes was badly written and that was the minister at the time is responsible for that as it was his team that made the regulations so weak!

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    May 15th 2025, 1:33 PM

    @Seriously Really: The last minister refused to do that. Same over helmets and hi viz etc.

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    Mute edward smith
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    May 14th 2025, 7:07 PM

    I’m more worried about all the driving test impersonators who are making big money from their ethnic groups for taking their tests.

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    Mute Mark R
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    May 14th 2025, 7:22 PM

    I wonder when the Government will tighten up on the Class W licence? Young lads flying up and down narrow country roads on huge powerful tractors.

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    Mute Stephen Wallis
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    May 14th 2025, 9:44 PM

    @Mark R: Unlikely, given that Ireland is one of the only countries in the EU where tractors are allowed on motorways (if they can do 60km/h) – in most countries, tractors are not allowed by vehicle type. The farming lobby is powerful.

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    Mute Larry Betts
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    May 14th 2025, 7:58 PM

    With the standard of driving nowadays going the way it is,fully licensed drivers shouldn’t be allowed to drive unaccompanied. Hogging the overtaking lane of dual carriageways and motorways,not indicating at roundabouts,it’s a wonder how they got their license in the first place

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    Mute Regular John
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    May 17th 2025, 2:33 AM

    @Larry Betts:
    Ah stop…. The amount of people that sit in the middle lane of the M50. The driving lane is often empty which means a 3 lane motorway is reduced to 2 lanes. Absolute donkeys…

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    Mute Johnny frankson
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    May 14th 2025, 7:15 PM

    Thick Irish solution for Irish problem. How about having more testers instead of

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    Mute Michael Edmonds
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    May 14th 2025, 7:06 PM

    Well he is a real beauty to suggest such a mad idea we should also let them drive without insurance.

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    Mute Ger Whelan
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    May 14th 2025, 7:37 PM

    @Michael Edmonds: why is it a mad idea? Pre 2014 you could legally drive unaccompanied on a second provisional license. I’m fairly confident the driving standard back then was much better than it is now.

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    Mute Alan
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    May 14th 2025, 7:40 PM

    @Ger Whelan: You could also drive unaccompanied on your 15th provisional license.
    To get your second license/free pass, all you had to do was FAIL a test….

    Might help you get the picture a bit better.

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    Mute Ger Whelan
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    May 14th 2025, 7:54 PM

    @Alan: I have the bigger picture. Do you believe the standard of driving has gotten better since learner drivers couldn’t drive on their own? Because I don’t. I think it’s gotten far worse.

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    Mute David Murray
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    May 14th 2025, 7:10 PM

    Healy Rae talk from anther hanger on

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    Mute David Murray
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    May 14th 2025, 7:11 PM

    @David Murray: Another

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    Mute Seriously Really
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    May 14th 2025, 7:41 PM

    Every other country has laws for Learner Drivers to be accompanied by an experienced driver. So what makes Ireland different? Why would FF suggest such an Assisine thing? The point of having an experienced driver with a Learner is to “Learn”? And yes… If a L driver is caught driving without an experienced driver, they should be fined for breaking the law. Further, easing of such laws will increase the cost of insurance for us all…. And opening the gates for all L drivers to be able to drive without thought or consideration is death waiting to happen. How ridiculous!!!

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    Mute Felix Nzekwe II
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    May 16th 2025, 9:43 AM

    @Seriously Really: it’s how it used to be. Learner driver kills someone prompting a change in law however the vast majority fatalities are fully licensed drunk/complacent drivers

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    Mute Happy Harry
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    May 14th 2025, 7:17 PM

    Ffs young people can’t mop a floor never mind drive a complicated mechanical propulsion machine. The roads are jam packed with lunatics as it is. Pass your test.

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    Mute John Farrant
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    May 14th 2025, 7:09 PM

    Beyond comment. Such a xxxxxxx bad idea.

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    Mute Todd Hebert
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    May 14th 2025, 7:07 PM

    Who will tell them they’re doing it wrong?

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    Mute Dereck
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    May 14th 2025, 7:49 PM

    The learner driver permit is an anachronistic leftover from the Brits. In other countries you need to pass your test and then you can drive on your own. Driving schools in Germany for example collect students from rural areas at their homes. The solution to this problem is the reduction of the waiting time for driving tests, better public transport and better broadband so students can attend lectures remotely.

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    Mute David Evans
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    May 15th 2025, 7:20 AM

    @Dereck: what are you talking about? Learner drivers in the UK have had to be accompanied for over 90 years!

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    Mute Dereck
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    May 15th 2025, 10:23 AM

    @David Evans: Please note, that I was referring to the learner driver permit as a whole. It’s an outdated system from a time when there was little traffic and the demands on drivers were different. In today’s world nobody should be driving who hasn’t proven to be capable of doing so.

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    Mute Joe Soap
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    May 14th 2025, 8:03 PM

    N drivers by far the worst , speeding dangerously, showing off . Too many young people dying on our roads .

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    Mute Sarah O'Sullivan
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    May 14th 2025, 8:37 PM

    Mr. Crowe seems blissfully unaware that the overwhelming majority of learner drivers involved in fatalities were driving unaccompanied.

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    Mute Meh Meh
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    May 14th 2025, 7:39 PM

    Pearse Doherty called this out in the Dail today. He blamed The Government. This lad is also blaming the ‘Government’. The only thing missing is actual names of who’s responsible in government. Actually name names. Call them out. We know you both know. Why not just use your Dail privilege to actually out the person or persons involved. I won’t hold my breath.

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    Mute Meh Meh
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    May 14th 2025, 9:09 PM

    @H Woo: At least he opens his mouth during speaking time, most of FFG sit out their speaking time in the Dail. Sit there asleep, dreaming of money no doubt, or crackling like the greedy Jackles they are. Only interested in getting rich, then progressively richer, while the world starves.

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    Mute Meh Meh
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    May 14th 2025, 9:15 PM

    And don’t even stop there. They continue on the European Parliament or presidential role, some makey up ministerial position, dept, kwango, consulting, supervison role, overseeing something some other person who got elected to FFG for a dare, get as much pensions as possible in the time you’re there. Never blame anyone except the public for the mess it’s made of its self. Lessons learnt. And the needle goes back to the start of the record, and we all sing along like before….and nothing ever happens. Nothing happens at all.

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    Mute Meh Meh
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    May 14th 2025, 10:23 PM

    Or the Seanad, lol.

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    Mute John Farrant
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    May 14th 2025, 7:08 PM

    I can’t post what I wanted to post, as it was deemed potential toxic. But you no doubt get the drift.

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    Mute Daniel Skelton
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    May 14th 2025, 7:56 PM

    Yes and no. Yes, because some people like me don’t have a full driver with two years experience, and can’t practice otherwise without forking out more money for an instructor. I also despise it when you have a passenger who is constantly making remarks about your driving. But also no, because some people genuinely shouldn’t be behind a wheel. Most people are fine, but I’ve seen some pretty horrendous videos of learner drivers out there.

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    Mute Larry Betts
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    May 14th 2025, 8:16 PM

    @Daniel Skelton: When I started driving,I took lessons from a driving instructor. When he felt I was ready for the test,he told me to go ahead and apply. I did,and I passed. I started work at a company,and they asked me to drive a van. I did,on a Good Friday around Dublin City centre making deliveries. That was the first time I ever drove unaccompanied,with my fully endorsed Drivers Licence. The quiet streets gave me great confidence,and I’ve being driving confidently in the 35 years since. Either you drive carefully and considerately,or with wild abandon and selfishness,the choice is up to all drivers on Irish roads. Hopefully we can see more care and attention in the future,after all the horrific recent road deaths.

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    Mute Ronan Mc
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    May 14th 2025, 9:03 PM

    He wants learner drivers ferrying other students to college with them! What planet is this guy on???
    And this effer a say in the laws that are passed in this country.
    And that other nitwit wants to cover every bog in Sitka spruce.
    We could half the number of TD’s that we have and not skip a beat when this is the calibre up there.

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    Mute Gavan Hogan
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    May 14th 2025, 8:22 PM

    Who voted for this numpty ?

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    Mute Piotr Nowak
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    May 14th 2025, 8:10 PM

    Here s a mad thought. Do away with the learner license all together and just make ppl do full license where they actually know how to drive

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    Mute Larry Betts
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    May 14th 2025, 8:19 PM

    @Piotr Nowak: You’re not wrong. Nobody should be allowed on the road if they don’t know how to drive

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    Mute Jonathan Hanlon
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    May 14th 2025, 8:26 PM

    Bad idea, novice struggle as is

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    Mute Johnny King
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    May 14th 2025, 7:07 PM

    Depends on the age of the learners.Forget about idiot boy racers in their twenties

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    Mute Damien Leahy
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    May 14th 2025, 7:12 PM

    @Johnny King: it’s not the 90s

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    Mute Johnny King
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    May 14th 2025, 7:16 PM

    @Damien Leahy: yeah they’re even worse now

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    Mute Julio's Evil Twin
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    May 14th 2025, 8:02 PM

    @Damien Leahy: Lowered VW Passats are the new school bus, it’s embarrassing.
    Saw one with an L for Lern & a N for Nube plate, gang of lads in the back tryn be gangsta.. everyone morto for them.. & their parent feels no shame.. obviously. Smh

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    Mute Larry Betts
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    May 14th 2025, 8:27 PM

    @Julio’s Evil Twin: Do you know something,I’m often driving along in the overtaking lane,behind a long line of cars in front. We’re all going slightly faster than the cars in the lhs driving lane. Nobody can do much about it,no room for anyone to pull over or go faster. Everyone doing a steady speed. All of a sudden angry driver speeds up behind me,tailgating,indicating they want to get by! I say,What does he expect me to do! Look in the mirror,it’s a female! Seriously,there’s starting to be a habit of girl racers creeping into society now. Not the cliched “women drivers”,but young ones who think they own the road more than anyone else

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    Mute Regular John
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    May 14th 2025, 10:35 PM

    @H Woo:
    You think that’s clever or something ??? Idîôts like you cause accidents.

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    Mute Julio's Evil Twin
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    May 15th 2025, 9:12 AM

    @H Woo: …left foot braking.. ;)
    Accelerate & tap the brake with your left foot just to throw on the lights.
    Works every time..

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    Mute Paddy Short
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    May 14th 2025, 9:50 PM

    Politicians focused on playing their corrupt part in a corrupt system all to feather their own nest is the root cause of this issue and many others.

    A Minister of Transport could reasonably be expected to request a monthly report on driving test statistics/census reports etc, and come to a conclusion on whether more or less testing capacity is needed and where and request the RSA to make it so. This has obviously not happened and it results in the mess that this article outlines. The victim of this is not the Minister, or any of their cronies, it’s, funnily enough, us, the investor and user of the service. What we are asking for is not rocket science, it’s a simple basic service that is quite clearly required, and to also function as needed.

    It probably took years to come up with the legislation to not have L drivers unaccompanied and it makes an even bigger mockery of the system, that they are supposed to champion, when they propose to squander the tax used to create the law in the first place by binning it, to fix an issue that they created themselves! Again, they are unlikely to be victims of binning the law, it will be us that will pay that price too.

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    Mute Meh Meh
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    May 14th 2025, 10:25 PM

    @Paddy Short: Tell me again how and why they’re blaming us. That was the interesting part. But in one single sentence, this time. TLDR

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    Mute Meh Meh
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    May 14th 2025, 10:26 PM

    Paddy Long :)

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    Mute Minnie Mouse
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    May 14th 2025, 10:06 PM

    Does anyone know whether there is any statistical or other evidence to show that compelling learner drivers to be accompanied by a licensed driver has reduced road accidents / injuries / fatalities compared to the 7 year period immediately prior to the new rules?

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    Mute Paul Maguire
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    May 14th 2025, 9:38 PM

    This would be like back in the late 70s if you had two provisional licence, you would be able claim a full licence… in other words buy two items get another one free.

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    Mute Pat Barry
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    May 14th 2025, 10:15 PM

    Funny he should think that….I know plenty full licenced drivers that should not be left have a car….accompanied or not!

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    Mute David Evans
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    May 15th 2025, 6:57 AM

    Special pleading for rural Ireland again, he’ll be asking if they can have a few pints on the way home next.

    You don’t fix a problem by lowering the bar, you fix the problem. Prioritise testing availability in rural areas being the obvious one.

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    Mute Coldfilter Coldfilter
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    May 15th 2025, 6:50 AM

    We really must stop in this country introducing laws named after people.Laws named after sympathetic victims are the worst form of knee jerk lawmaking and only plays into the hands of self serving politicians eager for votes.As usual in this country all reactions are emotive and these laws such as Coco’s or Clancy’s Law typically attempt to close some perceived loophole.In actual fact is is almost always an overcorrection that eventually creates more problems that it solves.

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    Mute AnthonyK
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    May 14th 2025, 9:33 PM

    And no doubt, if you murder someone because of your reckless driving, you should get a very light sentence.

    And there you have it, folks. The cozy relationship between politicians and the legal world.

    They don’t give a flying nut for you or your loved ones.

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    Mute Anne
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    May 15th 2025, 10:26 AM

    Is there Data to show that being accompanied by a qualified driver actually works. Depending on who the qualified driver is , and not everyone is cut out for this,they even might be a hindrance to the learner driver . I think once a person learns how to drive a car and follows the rules of the road, do not drive too fast they learn to think better on their own .

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    Mute David Evans
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    May 15th 2025, 7:14 PM

    @Anne: yes, from all over the world for decades

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    Mute Peter Calvey
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    May 14th 2025, 9:42 PM

    Who is this Clown

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    Mute Con Corkery
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    May 15th 2025, 7:50 AM

    He’s right. If anything, learner drivers are more careful drivers than established full licence holders on average. They’re focused on getting their full licence without incident and pushing the outrageous prices of their insurance down. There will always be drivers the road who cause accidents but they also hold full licences.

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    Mute John Smith
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    May 15th 2025, 2:23 AM

    Allow learners to drive unaccompanied but with strict conditions. Lower speed limits(limiter fitted), higher fines/penalty points, no night driving, zero alcohol limit etc etc. A lot of learners I know don’t bother displaying L plates for fear of getting pulled over.

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    Mute Rochelle Hart
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    May 15th 2025, 2:12 PM

    Yet another way this country is completely unlivable for young people. Can’t afford to rent, poor transport infrastructure and well over a years worth of hoops to jump through to get a driving license and that’s if they can even afford the insurance which will cost more than their car.

    I don’t think learner driving without a license is ideal but what else are young people in a rural area to do? Take a year out to get their license?

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    Mute J H
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    May 15th 2025, 3:29 PM

    The back log has more to do with people coming into the country and their driving licences not being compatible to drive here after a year. Why not waiver this like you did Ukraine and get on with it. This would free up a significant amount of tests for those who are less experienced driving.

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    Mute Terry o donnell
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    May 15th 2025, 1:46 AM

    ‘I live in a rural county…” i wonder which house he’s in? Is the one he declared or the other one he has in his Irish as Gaeilge name?

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    Mute karl gurhy
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    May 15th 2025, 12:02 PM

    Absolute madness

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    Mute Oweke 68
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    May 15th 2025, 12:50 AM

    Amazing. Half the population can’t drive with a full license and this clown wants to let loose the learners . Taxi drivers are shocking . People can’t use a roundabout or park and he wants more on the road. Just imagine your insurance in 2 years. We will all need the cycle lanes. Where do they find these people.

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    Mute Michael Dineen
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    May 15th 2025, 10:23 AM

    What a totally ridiculous statement from an elected representative. This is both dumb and dangerous. I tell you what would be sensible – not allowing that man to hold public office!

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    Mute Fifi Ryan
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    May 15th 2025, 6:30 PM

    My car has a box fitted and can tell my insurance company of any infringement I or my son a named driver makes it was fitted free and to put my son on the policy cost only 90 euro because of this device it’s a no brainer

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    Mute Felix Nzekwe II
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    May 16th 2025, 8:58 AM

    Can a UK license be exchanged? The system here is backwards and archaic… waiting time brought down to 10 weeks by the end of the year is pathetic. So if we’ve no one to accompany us learners I assume we just let job opportunities pass us by while struggling to pay for accommodation at the same time. The only TD with a bit of cop

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    Mute Jack
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    May 15th 2025, 7:14 AM

    N drivers leave a lot to be desired.

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    Mute Michael Leahy
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    May 15th 2025, 5:52 PM

    Use a simulator for driving lessons and then the actual test. You can teach/ test for all road conditions and different scenarios without putting anyone else in danger. Computed test results would also be much fairer than relying on human examiners.

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