Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 4

Written Answers. - Garda Traffic Corps.

Jack Wall

Question:

424 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has satisfied himself that his Department has provided enough funding to ensure that the traffic corps of the gardaí are in a position to carry out their duties in full to ensure that the implementation of road safety regulations is enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23147/01]

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

The funding for the Garda Síochána is provided on a national basis through Vote 20 which is divided into a number of subheads dealing with various cost items. Although work is under way to implement the devolution of budgets within the Garda, it is not possible at this time to identify the funding for operational units in isolation. I am, however, satisfied that my Department has put in place the necessary resources to enable the gardaí to carry out their duties with respect to traffic.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that there is a total of 457 members attached to traffic units in Garda divisions throughout the country. These members are employed on full-time traffic duties. In addition to these members, all members employed on uniform duties are also involved in the enforcement of road traffic legislation and regulations. There are currently six mobile speed detection units, that is, GATSOs, in operation throughout the State and approval has been given for the purchase of a seventh. In addition to these units, the gardaí use up to date speed detection equipment such as laser speed detection devices, radar speed detection devices and Lastec in car video systems. They also have access to alcometers and evidential breath testing machines, supplied by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety.

The question of fixed cameras – including future funding – is being addressed. A pilot programme using four fixed cameras, rotated around 20 sites in Louth-Meath, is under way. The pilot programme and the future policy regarding fixed cameras is currently being examined by a sub-committee of the inter-agency high level group on road safety. This sub-committee, which includes representatives of my Department, the Garda Síochána and the National Roads Authority, is developing policy in relation to siting and other operational issues concerning fixed cameras. A total of 34 extra motorcycles were added to the Garda fleet last year to enhance traffic management and enforcement of road traffic legislation.

The Government's National Strategy on Road Safety, 1998-2002, contains commitments to enhance Garda enforcement capability. I refer the Deputy to the third progress report of the high level group on road safety on the implementation of the national strategy, published in July 2001. The report includes details of action items implemented as well as items to be implemented by my Department and the Garda Síochána. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the effectiveness of the enforcement of road traffic legislation is reviewed on a continuous basis and in this regard a number of measures have been taken. The Garda National Traffic Bureau under the direction of a chief superintendent was established in July 1997. The primary focus of the bureau is policy development, with particular emphasis on formulating proactive enforcement strategies aimed at reducing road deaths and road accidents.

Operation Lifesaver was launched on 14 July 1997 in the Louth/Meath Garda division and has now been extended to all divisions. The operation involves high levels of patrolling, checkpoints and speed checks, in addition to an extensive road safety publicity campaign which involves media campaigns, using national and local radio stations and schools programmes which are designed to educate all road users on the need to take care on our roads.

The fines-on-the-spot system was extended to speeding offences in 1997. In 1999, a total of 170,000 fines-on-the-spot were issued for speeding. The fine-on-the-spot system was extended to cover other offences such as breaking traffic lights, failing to stop at a stop sign and non-wearing of seat belts in 1999. The three target safety offences are excessive speed, driving while intoxicated and non-wearing of seat belts. There has been a steady increase in the enforcement and detection of these offences.

In keeping with the Government's National Strategy on Road Safety, 1998-2002, Operation Lifesaver – which has run as a national operation since 1997 – will remain the principal operation during the current year. The consideration by the Garda of tenders for a new fines-on-the-spot processing system is at an advanced stage. This system, which will replace the interim fines-on-the-spot system, will process all offences with an on-the-spot/fixed charge penalty and enable the introduction of the penalty points legislation following enactment of the Road Traffic Bill.

The situation is being kept under review and any new measures considered necessary will be put in place.