asked the Minister for Local Government if he has taken any action on foot of the memorandum submitted to his Department by the IT & GWU in connection with safety regulations for road oil tankers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Road Safety.
120.
The implications of the memorandum referred to by the Deputy are being examined by my Department's technical advisers with a view to its presentation for the recommendations of the informal committee engaged in reviewing the existing vehicle regulations. The IT & GW Union have representation on this committee.
121.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will consider the introduction of a special traffic corps whose sole duty will be to concentrate on the prevention of road accidents in order to reduce the frightful toll of deaths on the road.
I have expressed my concern on numerous occasions about the increasing toll of road deaths and I am taking all steps which lie within my power to secure that the situation will be changed. I am satisfied that one of the factors in securing a reduction in the number of accidents is an adequate level of enforcement of road traffic law. At my request and with the agreement of the Minister for Justice An Foras Forbartha are undertaking a general study of the police factor in road traffic. Matters which the study will cover include the relating of the police factor to the purposes and objectives of road traffic legislation and consideration of whether this factor might be improved in the road traffic interest in Irish conditions. It would be premature to assess the desirability of setting up a special traffic corps in advance of any in-depth analysis which the study by An Foras will entail.