asked the Minister for Justice in view of the apparent inability of the Garda Síochána to enforce traffic laws especially in our major urban areas and in view of the likelihood of widespread objections to any diversion of Garda resources from other matters, if he will introduce a special force to enforce traffic laws with reference to improving safety, mobility and accessibility for citizens.
Written Answers. - Enforcement of Traffic Laws.
67.
I do not accept the suggestion contained in the question that roads-related legislation is not being actively enforced by the Garda Síochána. The Garda Commissioner's Report on Crime for the year 1987 indicates that proceedings were taken in that year in respect of a total of 526,293 offences under the Road Traffic Acts, the Road Transport Acts and the Roads Act — an increase of nearly 21,000 on the corresponding figure for 1986.
As the Deputy is probably aware, there is already a Traffic Corps within the Garda Síochána with a unit in each Garda Division, which has special responsibility for traffic control and accident prevention. In addition, traffic wardens are employed by the Garda Commissioner in Dublin and by the local authorities at a number of other urban centres to enforce parking regulations and thereby improve traffic flows. I do not see that there is any particular need to set up a special force to enforce traffic laws.
The Garda authorities can be relied upon to ensure that adequate resources will continue to be made available for the enforcement of roads-related legislation having regard to the many demands that the force has to meet. The Garda of course maintain full co-operation with the various Departments, local authorities and other agencies which also have responsibilities in the area of road traffic.