Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2024
460. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if she and or her officials have engaged with the Minister for Transport and or the RSA in respect of undertaking a data impact assessment in regarding plans to use speed cameras and or other types of camera to detect motorists who are using their phones while in control of a vehicle on a public road. [21512/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraRoad safety is a shared responsibility and one which this Government takes very seriously.
We have all been shocked by the recent loss of life on our roads, and concerned by the worrying increase in road fatalities after many years of progress in making our roads safer.
While the focus of An Garda Síochána is on their efforts on enforcement, a multi-faceted approach is required to reduce fatalities and collisions that cause serious injuries. It is acknowledged that technology should be used as part of the solution to reverse some of these trends.
The use of camera technology for the detection of offences other than speeding, such as the non-wearing of seatbelts, is a priority action in the first phase of the Government's Road Safety Strategy.
The Road Safety Transformation Plan Board (RTSPB) was established to support the implementation of this strategy. It consists of officials from the Department of Transport, the Department of Justice, the Roads Safety Authority, An Garda Síochána, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the National Transport Authority and the Courts Service.
The RTSPB is currently investigating the use of camera enforcement to detect mobile phone use and non-wearing of seatbelts under section 81 of Road Traffic Act 2010.
As the Department of Transport leads on road safety matters, any data impact assessment required prior to the proposed implementation of this action would be a matter for the Department of Transport.
The multi-pronged response of An Garda Síochána encompassing technology, enforcement, media engagement and education is making a difference.
The decision by the Garda Commissioner to direct that all uniform Gardaí should provide 30 minutes of roads policing per shift is already leading to an increase in the number of Lifesaver Offences being detected.
Across the May Bank Holiday weekend, more than 220 Fixed Charge Penalty Notices were issued to drivers detected using their mobile phones whilst driving, as well as over 100 FCPNs for not wearing a seatbelt and 170 issued to unaccompanied learner drivers.
Gardaí also seized 613 vehicles for a range of road traffic offences under section 41 of the Roads Traffic Act over the period.
