Trevor Sargent
Question:8 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, she has to enforce the law in order to increase compliance among cyclists to ensure they have proper lighting on the road in darkness. [20913/96]
Other Questions. - Cycle Lighting.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that one of the priority areas for attention by the Garda Síochána under their road safety strategy is pedestrian and cyclist visibility. Neighbourhood gardaí, juvenile liaison officers and gardaí generally, avail of opportunities such as visits to schools, youth clubs and community centres to promote greater road safety consciousness among young people.
Non-compliance with the law on cycle lighting is dealt with by way of prosecution or caution/advice.
The Garda Síochána annual report for 1995 shows that there were 1,089 prosecutions for offences under the Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles Regulations 1963) — pedal cycles.
The National Safety Council also promote greater road safety in all road users by way of advertisements in the media and other educational projects.
Many of the offenders are neither school children or young when it comes to offences in regard to the visibility of cyclists. That should be taken into account in the Department's policy. I remind the Minister also that, apart from fatalities and injuries, there have been hundreds of near misses between cyclists and other road users. The bad weather and dark evenings have made the situation worse. Has the Minister embarked upon a bilateral approach with the Department of the Environment to ensure cyclists are afforded the protection of the law when it comes to facilities and are similarly obliged to be responsible? It has been my experience and that of others, that many cyclists are not being attended to either through protection or prosecution and as a result it is inevitable that there will be further casualties and a greater carelessness in compliance with the law.
I have not had bilateral discussions with the Department of the Environment about the issue of cycle lanes etc. The Garda Síochána's responsibility is to implement regulations under the Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles Regulations 1963) — pedal cycles. Those who contravene these regulations are liable on summary conviction in the case of the first offence to a fine not exceeding £150; in the case of a second, third or subsequent offence in any period of 12 months to a fine not exceeding £350 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment of three months or both. I am not aware of anyone serving a prison sentence for not having lights on a bicycle. I can imagine the outcry if people were sentenced to a term in a prison for such an offence.
A total of 1,089 prosecutions were handled in 1995. It is not as if the regulations are not being implemented. Undoubtedly cyclists could do more. Under the regulations cyclists must be equipped with, and show duly lit during lighting up time, a front and rear lamp and must also display a rear reflector. We all know that does not happen, but we also know the gardaí examine and prosecute people or confiscate bicycles, for not having lights, in the course of their work. There would probably be an outcry if I told the gardaí they were not to do anything else for the next six months except prosecute cyclists who did not adhere to the regulations.
They could caution them.
They are cautioned. I have seen cyclists being cautioned by gardaí. I do not have information as to how many have been cautioned.
I appreciate that.
Are the free bicycles equipped with lights?
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.