asked the Minister for Local Government if he will make an order to ensure that heavy vehicles are properly painted, lighted and kept clean so that they are easily visible to road users at night.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Lighting and Marking of Vehicles.
31.
Existing regulations provide that lights, reflectors and reflectorised surfaces on vehicles should be maintained in a clean condition. As I have indicated in reply to a recent question, an informal committee set up under the aegis of my Department to review the regulations relating to vehicles is treating the lighting and marking of large vehicles and combinations of vehicles as a matter of priority.
Could the Minister give any idea as to when he expects to have a report from this committee that has been set up?
I do not think I could, but it should not take very long.
Is the Minister aware that a number of recent accidents were caused by the failure of people to carry out the regulations which the Minister says are in operation? Would he try to get an early decision?
I will.
(Cavan): In view of the number of fatal accidents which have occurred recently as a result of motor cars crashing into unlighted or badly-marked large motor vehicles would the Minister consider prescribing luminous paint markings of the type used by some of the oil companies, as these appear to be very effective? I think they would make it practically impossible for these accidents to happen.
That is the type of thing that is being considered by this committee.