Saliva-based roadside drug testing and doubling the minimum learner licence period to 12 months are two changes the country's largest automotive body wants from the new Government.
The AA outlined a number of key points it said were needed to improve safety on our roads and, before the election, every MP was sent a copy.
As well as saliva tests and expanded learner periods, the changes included upgrading the expected safety standards on new cars to at least see new vehicles carry electronic stability control programmes as well as more stringent crash test ratings for new and used cars.
Mike Noon, AA motoring affairs general manager, said the 2010-12 road safety strategy was based on a safe system approach endorsed by the AA. Mr Noon said this recognised that there was no single silver bullet solution for improving road safety and that real progress required everyone to work towards the goal of having safer drivers in safer vehicles travelling at safer speeds on safer roads.
In terms of safer drivers, AA wants saliva-based roadside drugged driver testing introduced, along with an increase in rehabilitation treatment for recidivist drunk drivers.