The Irish Times reports that driving the wrong way (citing a specific motorway in County Limerick) is now “a daily occurrence”.
The report also says:
The most dangerous drivers on motorways, gardaí say, are “middle-aged and older drivers”.
These would be the ones who “learned” to drive under Ireland’s previous almost non-existent (according to my Irish pupils) teaching system. I hope those opposed to Ireland’s attempts to bring their system up to scratch are listening… but I doubt it.
Having some troglodyte coming towards you in the outside lane in the opposite direction isn’t funny. I know.
It isn’t just my take. Noels Brett of the RSA said:
…there were 2½ million driving licence-holders, and the vast majority had had no formal driving instruction, particularly older drivers, who he said may be used to driving in a way that was not suitable for motorways. “If someone misses their exit they may feel it’s okay to do a U-turn, or try and reverse back. One simply cannot do that in the high-speed environment of a motorway,” he said.
It’s frightening, isn’t it? It’s like changing from driving on the left to driving on the right – but doing it gradually.