More and more young drivers have to renew their driving licences

Speeding and reckless driving on increase

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In increasing numbers, young drivers have to renew their introductory short-term driving licences before being granted a permanent long-term licence. According to statistics maintained by the Finnish Vehicle Administration (AKE), during the first half of 2005 around 900 20-year-olds had to retake their driving test, whereas in 2001 the corresponding figure was 600.
      Those organising driving tests are familiar with the development.
      "Five years ago, very few people had to retake their driving test. Nowadays, temporary licence renewers appear on a weekly basis, even up to five individuals per week", says Olli Virtanen from Ajovarma, a company in Oulu specialising in organising driving tests.
     
During its period of validity, the short-term licence can be revoked and the driver be sent back to retake the driving test, if he or she is fined for speeding twice in a year or three times within a two-year period.
      If the driver loses his or her licence during the first two years of driving, the temporary licence is replaced with another temporary licence.
      The renewal process keeps the majority of the road hogs under control. Very few young people end up renewing their temporary licence more than once.
      "Most of them say that they have learned their lesson", Virtanen establishes.
     
Speeding is by far the most common reason for having to retake the driving test. According to Liikenneturva, an expert organisation in traffic safety, half of the young male drivers say they speed often.
      "The problem is that the present rate of getting caught fails to function as a discouragement. Young drivers feel they can get away with reckless driving", believes head of research Sirpa Rajalin from Liikenneturva.
      "Grave indifference is on the increase", affirms Chief Inspector Heikki Seppä from the Ministry of the Interior.
     
Young drivers are not the only ones guilty of careless driving. According to the traffic police, almost 11,000 driving licences were revoked on the spot last year, whereas in 2003 the corresponding number was 9,700, and 8,500 the year before.
      "The police have not intensified their surveillance, so the growing figures tell of an increase in negligence", confirms sergeant Pertti Mäkeläinen of the National Traffic Police.
      In March, the problem was tackled by passing an amendment that raised the minimum length of the driving ban issued by police to one month.
      "This seems to have done little to change attitudes. There is a lot of wilful risk-taking. The possibility of getting caught is not in people's minds", Mäkeläinen concludes.
      "In my opinion, all of the cases where a temporary driving ban is imposed are in some respect a result of a deliberate act", he adds.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Youngest drivers cause one fifth of fatal accidents in Finland (25.1.2005)
  HS survey: Almost a third of young men admit to having driven under influence of alcohol (24.5.2004)

Links:
  The Finnish Vehicle Administration AKE
  Liikenneturva

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