Iceland not keen on EU idea to raise driving test age to harmonise rules.
Icelandic Transport Minister Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson is not impressed by the European Commission’s proposal to harmonise driving licence requirements in EU and EEA states, as this would set the age limit at 18, the minister said Thursday.
The proposals were presented by the Commission on 1 March and were discussed on Thursday by the relevant Transport ministers of the EU and the EEA (European Economic Area, composed of the EU member states plus Lichtenstein, Norway and Iceland).
According to the Icelandic minister, these proposals are largely aimed at reducing the frequency of accidents among young drivers, which has been successfully done in Iceland, after changes were made to the system a few years ago.
“I am of the opinion that we have implemented this very well, maintaining the 17-year-old age limit, but at the same time we started to tighten up and make the driving lessons more professional and ambitious, as well as having ongoing education and keeping information for young people,” said Jóhannsson.
“We have a good story to tell, so I don’t think there’s any reason for us to pursue these ideas. », he said, adding that he does not see a special reason to harmonise rules between Iceland and other countries on the matter.
However, he did not reject all of the Commission’s proposals as he welcomed the provisions that should make it easier for the government to collect fines when drivers commit crimes in other states.
(Charles Szumski | EURACTIV.com)
Read more with EURACTIV
