Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Feb 2000

Vol. 513 No. 5

Written Answers. - Road Traffic Offences.

Denis Naughten

Question:

70 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of drivers cautioned, charged and prosecuted for violation of the Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) Regulations, 1963-1996, in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2883/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that details in relation to the number of drivers prosecuted for violation of the Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) Regulations 1963-1996 in each of the past five years for which statistics are available are set out in the tabular statement hereunder:

Year	Prosecutions
1994	11,082
1995	8,231
1996	6,918
1997	6,420
1998	5,863

Details on prosecutions for lighting regulations for 1999 are not yet available. It is not possible to provide data on the number of cautions as Garda statistics in relation to the number of cautions issued to drivers are not compiled in such a way as to supply the information requested by the Deputy. Furthermore, prosecutions for breaches of the lighting regulations normally proceed to court by way of summons as opposed to a motorist being charged by the gardaí.