New legislation may be introduced that will see learner drivers have their cars seized by Gardaí, if they are caught driving unaccompanied.

The Independent is reporting that the Minister for Transport, Shane Ross, is considering the change after their was concern over the number of incidents involving learner drivers.

Road Saftey campaigners, PARC, said that the new law should be a "no brainer."

A spokesperson for the group said: "When a garda stops a learner driver and charges him or her for driving unaccompanied, it makes no sense whatsoever that the garda must then allow that driver to continue their journey driving unaccompanied."

Minister Ross said in the Dáil: “Currently, gardaí have the power to detain vehicles in a number of circumstances such as where the vehicle is untaxed, uninsured or does not have an NCT,” he said.

“An extension of this power to cover vehicles being driven by unaccompanied learners would require an amendment to Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act, 1994. I would like to advise that this is something that I am willing to consider in the context of future road traffic legislation.”