To ask the Minister for Defence if he is aware of the careless and reckless driving of many of the men in charge of Army motor vehicles, and of the many serious accidents caused by such driving, and whether he has issued any general orders or instructions regulating the speed at which such vehicles should be driven, and the general good conduct of the drivers; and further, to ask if any penalties are imposed for such careless and reckless driving.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - SPEED OF ARMY MOTOR VEHICLES.
General orders are in being with a view to preventing the driving of military transport at excessive speeds. A special inspectorial system exists with a view to seeing that these orders are carried out and penalties are imposed for careless and reckless driving. Penalties are also imposed in all cases in which a man is found guilty of driving at an excessive speed unless he can produce definite evidence that it is necessary as a protection precaution. It must be realised that this tendency towards excessive speed on the part of Army cars arises mainly because of the necessity for protection against unexpected attacks.