Beorn
06-16-2009, 10:11 AM
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01393/drivingTest_1393343c.jpg
The number of learner drivers taking their test without being able to speak English has increased by almost half in just three years, figures show.
Almost a quarter of a million foreign motorists required voiceovers to help them sit their theory tests last year - at the taxpayers' expense.
Hundreds more have translators but have to pay for them themselves.
The figures sparked fresh concerns over road safety with drivers not being able to even read road signs while a group of MPs and peers warned it was a further sign of the impact on society from immigration.
Labour MP Frank Field co-chairman of the cross party group on Balanced Migration, who received the figures, said: "These figures show not just the pressure on our roads, but also on our society. In just five years, additional language assistance was provided in 863,783 theory tests for people who needed help in understanding simple English."
Statistics from the Department for Transport showed some 211,53 people had a voiceover provided when taking their driving theory test in 2007/08.
Around half were in a foreign language while the other half were in English because the learner could understand spoken English but not written.
The total was up 43 per cent on the 147,756 who were provided with a voiceover in 2004/05.
Similarly, the number of learners needing a translator increased from 805 to 996 over the same period.
Tory MP Nicholas Soames, the other co-chairman of the cross party group added: "If uncontrolled immigration continues at this pace, how can we hope to integrate newcomers into our society?"
Mark Wallace, of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "This is seriously concerning, both in financial terms and when it comes to road safety.
"There is no way the taxpayer should have to pick up the bill for driving tests to be provided in foreign languages and a lot of people will be uncomfortable with the idea someone could qualify to drive even if they cannot read English road signs.
"Anyone with an ounce of common sense could see the problems this throws up."
Figures last year showed accident on British roads involving Eastern European drivers increased eight fold in just six years.
Cars registered in countries like Poland were in 7,266 crashes in 2007 - up from 933 in 2001.
A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: “The practical and theory tests provide a comprehensive assessment of whether someone is safe to drive. The detailed questions in the test can be translated into other languages to ensure everyone is tested fairly but all candidates are required to demonstrate the same level of knowledge and skill to pass the test.”
Source (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/5238105/Learner-drivers-who-cannot-speak-English-up-by-half-in-three-years.html)
That is some shocking statistics there. To think these accidents with possible fatalities could have been avoided by one thing and one thing only: The halt of immigrants and a policy to allow only fully speaking English people into this country.
It's simple! It's not rocket science. It's not racist. It's just bloody common sense. Something which is lacked in the halls of power.
The number of learner drivers taking their test without being able to speak English has increased by almost half in just three years, figures show.
Almost a quarter of a million foreign motorists required voiceovers to help them sit their theory tests last year - at the taxpayers' expense.
Hundreds more have translators but have to pay for them themselves.
The figures sparked fresh concerns over road safety with drivers not being able to even read road signs while a group of MPs and peers warned it was a further sign of the impact on society from immigration.
Labour MP Frank Field co-chairman of the cross party group on Balanced Migration, who received the figures, said: "These figures show not just the pressure on our roads, but also on our society. In just five years, additional language assistance was provided in 863,783 theory tests for people who needed help in understanding simple English."
Statistics from the Department for Transport showed some 211,53 people had a voiceover provided when taking their driving theory test in 2007/08.
Around half were in a foreign language while the other half were in English because the learner could understand spoken English but not written.
The total was up 43 per cent on the 147,756 who were provided with a voiceover in 2004/05.
Similarly, the number of learners needing a translator increased from 805 to 996 over the same period.
Tory MP Nicholas Soames, the other co-chairman of the cross party group added: "If uncontrolled immigration continues at this pace, how can we hope to integrate newcomers into our society?"
Mark Wallace, of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "This is seriously concerning, both in financial terms and when it comes to road safety.
"There is no way the taxpayer should have to pick up the bill for driving tests to be provided in foreign languages and a lot of people will be uncomfortable with the idea someone could qualify to drive even if they cannot read English road signs.
"Anyone with an ounce of common sense could see the problems this throws up."
Figures last year showed accident on British roads involving Eastern European drivers increased eight fold in just six years.
Cars registered in countries like Poland were in 7,266 crashes in 2007 - up from 933 in 2001.
A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: “The practical and theory tests provide a comprehensive assessment of whether someone is safe to drive. The detailed questions in the test can be translated into other languages to ensure everyone is tested fairly but all candidates are required to demonstrate the same level of knowledge and skill to pass the test.”
Source (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/5238105/Learner-drivers-who-cannot-speak-English-up-by-half-in-three-years.html)
That is some shocking statistics there. To think these accidents with possible fatalities could have been avoided by one thing and one thing only: The halt of immigrants and a policy to allow only fully speaking English people into this country.
It's simple! It's not rocket science. It's not racist. It's just bloody common sense. Something which is lacked in the halls of power.