asked the Minister for Justice the action he proposes to take to deal with the increasing tendency of motorists not to pay attention to red traffic lights in view of the dangers and inconveniences which follow for other motorists and for pedestrians.
Written Answers. - Red Traffic Lights.
66.
I am not aware, nor are the Garda authorities whom I have consulted, that there is, as the question implies, an increasing tendency for motorists to ignore red traffic lights.
The enforcement of road traffic legislation is, of course, a matter for the Garda Síochána. I am informed by the Garda authorities that, having regard to the many other demands on their services, the Garda are taking all practical steps to enforce the requirements of the law relating to traffic lights. These requirements are contained in the Road Traffic General Bye-Laws, 1964. The number of prosecutions taken in 1987 for offences generally under these by-laws including going through red traffic lights, was 4,621. Infringements of the by-laws may also, in sufficiently serious cases, give rise to prosecutions for dangerous driving, careless driving or driving without reasonable consideration for other road users.