Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 29 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 2

Written Answers. - Road Traffic Offences.

Denis Naughten

Question:

344 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount collected in each of the past three years on road traffic fines and on the spot speeding fines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15776/01]

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

Details of fines collected in relation to road traffic offences are set out in the following tabular statement:

Year	Garda imposed Fines on the Spot Collected.	Court imposed road traffic fines Collected
1998	£9,423,443	£6,141,697
1999	£10,585,164	£6,220,742
2000	£13,696,192	£5,146,050

I am further informed by the Garda authorities that Garda records do not differentiate between speeding and other fines. The Deputy may wish to know that the number of speeding tickets issued by the Garda for the years 1998-2000 was 143,019 in respect of 1998, 177,249 for 1999 and 224,264 in respect of the year 2000. Experience to date has shown that over 80% of fines on the spot for speeding are paid without recourse to legal proceedings. The fine on the spot for speeding is £50.