asked the Minister for Local Government if he will make regulations under the Road Traffic Acts to provide for a minimum distance to be maintained between heavy lorries travelling on secondary and other narrow roads so as to prevent the hazards created when such lorries travel in close convoy.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Road Traffic Acts Regulations.
27.
Driving in close proximity to the vehicle in front can in certain circumstances be an offence under section 51 (a) of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, but no measured length of distance to be maintained between two vehicles travelling in convoy is prescribed. It seems impracticable to incorporate in regulations under the Road Traffic Acts, a prescription for such distance either generally or in relation to a particular set of circumstances.
I am aware of the problem and I am encouraging the use of road safety publicity in educating those inconsiderate drivers who fail to keep a reasonable distance from vehicles in front.
Can the Minister say whether more stringent measures might be taken to deal with people who drive in this disgraceful manner, especially at night? On occasions I have seen four or five very large lorries travelling at about 5 mph, each holding up the other. I am not talking about the responsible drivers of heavy vehicles but those who hog the roads.
I agree that there is much inconsiderate driving and since commercial vehicles tend to be larger than those of the past, the problem is exacerbated. Under section 51 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, there is enough authority to have offenders prosecuted although I am not aware of any prosecution so far for this offence.
However, there is the question of our acceding to the UN Convention on Road Traffic which was opened for signature at Vienna on 8th November, 1968, and which is still open. If we were to accede to this convention our domestic legislation would have to conform in substance with the convention's provisions which are that in order to facilitate overtaking outside built-up areas, drivers of vehicles or combinations of vehicles of more than 7,500 lbs, which is the permissible maximum weight, and of more than ten metres or 33 cubic feet overall, shall, except when they are overtaking or preparing to overtake, keep at such distance from the power driven vehicle ahead as to allow that other vehicles overtaking them can do so without danger. There is no immediate intention of taking any decision in regard to the signing of this convention, so in the meantime all we can do is to ask the Garda to be more vigilant in regard to section 51 of the Road Traffic Act.