asked the Minister for the Environment the last time a campaign was carried out by his Department, the Road Safety Committee, or any other body to create a greater public awareness of the danger that is caused to motorists by faulty lighting on cars, with particular emphasis on the level of the beams of headlights; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Faulty Lighting on Cars.
87.
By law, all mechanically propelled vehicles must be equipped with lights which are in working order and when lit cannot mislead or dazzle oncoming traffic. Enforcement of the law is a matter for the Garda Síochána. In 1985, there were about 21,000 prosecutions for lighting offences.
Between 1976 and 1980, the National Road Safety Association operated a voluntary car testing scheme at various locations throughout the country to make motorists more aware of potential defects in their vehicles, including faulty and misaligned headlights. The Association has since continued to stress the importance of vehicle fitness, including the necessity for proper vehicle lighting, through television and radio publicity. At local level, interested groups have also been involved on an ongoing basis in promoting voluntary car testing schemes. I understand that a number of such schemes have been a feature of local community projects undertaken this year in the context of European Road Safety Year.