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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 29 Nov 2001

Vol. 545 No. 3

Road Traffic Bill, 2001: Second Stage (Resumed).

Question again proposed: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

Last night I said that enforcement alone was clearly not enough to change behaviour on the roads. I also agreed with Deputy Brendan Smith that there appears to be a waste of Garda manpower and time in relation to traffic matters when more serious issues could be dealt with, such as violent crime and thuggery in built-up areas.

It is difficult to assess the impact of the media on public attention regarding road safety. Despite very graphic television advertising the message does not seem to be getting across to a huge number of people. In such situations people often turn to the education system to deliver and teachers feel everything of this nature is dumped unfairly on schools.

There is a substantial difficulty in getting the message across and ensuring that whatever advertising or enforcement is in place does not just have a short-term impact. It should have a long-term impact and appreciably improve the behaviour of drivers and other road users. Any visitor to the National Rehabilitation Hospital will be aware of the serious injuries inflicted on people.

While statisticians and the media most frequently direct attention to road deaths, the injury rate from traffic accidents is another unfortunate aspect of this issue. The Minister of State, Deputy Molloy, referred to the matter in his introductory speech on Tuesday. Each year many people suffer long-term physical injuries, such as brain damage, which gives rise to huge health costs. An enormous level of dependence is created and many people are consigned to the role of carer.

It may be difficult to attain the goal of a 20% reduction in the level of deaths and injuries during the five years of the national road safety strategy. The Minister pointed out, however, that there has been a 12% drop in deaths and a 25% fall in serious injuries since 1997, which proves that it is possible to reach the plan's targets. I welcome the fact that this Bill will help to meet the strategy's aims.

Section 20 of the Bill provides for the use of cameras and appears to strengthen legal provisions to that end. It is a great pity that modern technology, including cameras, may lead to constitutional and legal problems relating to the role of the courts and the rights of individuals. Many technological developments could have an enormous impact on road safety. The use of speed cameras, for example, could lead to a reduction in the manpower required to enforce speed regulations. Progress was made by requiring that lorries have tachographs. We have to provide such technology and enable it to impact more appreciably in the years to come if we are serious about reducing the number of road deaths and injuries. We have to face up to the challenge thrown down by the Minister of State, Deputy Molloy, in relation to random breath testing. If we are reluctant to accept the challenge, it will prove that we are reluctant to grapple with the difficulties in relation to road safety.

I welcome the long overdue national driver file which will facilitate the recording of penalty points, disqualifications and other such matters. Similarly, I am glad that the maximum fine has been substantially increased from £150 to 800. Deputies are aware, however, that there have been difficulties in relation to the collection of fines. The provision in the Bill of a 50% increase in a fine if it is not paid by the due date will help to allay concerns regarding fines. We will have to be much more proactive in addressing such concerns.

Section 9 of the Bill facilitates the ratification of the European Convention on Driving Disqualification. A disproportionate number of the driving errors I encounter while driving to the west are made by drivers of cars with foreign number plates, usually from the United Kingdom. It is difficult to follow up such cases. I welcome the Bill's provision of an increased role for local authorities, although we need to go further in that regard.

Sections 11 and 12 of the Bill place onerous responsibilities on the registered owners of vehicles and I am not sure if these provisions will stand the tests of constitutionality and natural justice. As I understand it, in the absence of a named driver, the registered owner of a vehicle will be responsible for offences said to have been committed by the driver of the vehicle. While there are good reasons for introducing this measure, I anticipate difficulties. I welcome the structures of quality control for driving instructors, as introduced in this Bill, and the written test which commenced recently. Such measures should have a positive impact on driving standards. I welcome the Road Traffic Bill, 2001.

One of the great freedoms given to Irish people is to be allowed to drive on public roads, to travel from point to point. The freedom is accompanied by a responsibility, however, which has been challenged on thousands of occasions. The Road Traffic Bill, 2001, attempts to manage traffic and uphold the rights of citizens to drive vehicles and travel throughout the country.

I have been involved in three car crashes, two of which were related to speed. The third accident occurred when I had to aim for a wall to avoid a child. Nobody other than myself was injured in these incidents. I have often reflected on the truly terrifying moment before my vehicle went through the stone wall. There was a great deal of noise and a terrible fear of impending serious injury and possible death. It was truly a frightening experience. A crash can be a salutary lesson for those unfortunate enough to be party to a serious accident, either on their own or involving others.

When driving between Mayo and Dublin each week in the course of my duties as a public representative, I observe the difference between fast driving, dangerous driving and reckless driving. I can understand why so many tragedies occur and why an increasing number of people die or are seriously injured each year. I welcome the introduction of this Bill as an attempt to educate drivers. I support the Minister's endeavours to help motorists understand that the Bill serves their interests. I have a number of thoughts that warrant further comment.

While this is a fine Bill, I must point out that the standard of road engineering in Ireland contributes to the number of serious accidents. There is a huge variety of roads in this country, including motorways, dual carriageways, wide two lane roads, narrow two lane roads and what one might call ordinary roads. There are many right hand turns on recently built two lane roads. It may be that an island has been placed on the road to guide drivers turning right or that white lines have been marked. I have often indicated that my car is about to turn right and waited in the centre of the road, but was unable to move because of oncoming traffic. I have experienced the sensation of cars passing on my left hand side at between 60 and 100 m.p.h. Inadequate engineering contributes to accidents that take place in such circumstances. Motorists in the line of traffic behind me are unable to see that my car is stopped in the middle of the road and is waiting to turn right. If a motorist attempts to pass out a car, a serious accident can result. I do not understand why the responsibility of the National Roads Authority in terms of engineering standards to be met when building roads is not clearly defined. Statistics show that many minor and more serious accidents occur because of the problem of right-hand turns from new roads. This is an engineering problem which this Bill cannot address.

A penalty points system should have been introduced long ago and I support the Bill's measures in this regard. The Bill includes a long list of offences for which one can accrue a penalty point. However, the use of mobile telephones while driving is not included as should be the case. This practice may be included under negligent driving or whatever, but tens of thousands of people break this legislation every hour. One sometimes sees a driver looking under the dashboard trying to dial a telephone number or to talk while driving. Such drivers are in a different world and this careless behaviour should be a stated offence for which one receives a penalty point. I have seen drivers of cars, lorries and buses speaking on telephones or dialling numbers while indicating to turn right or left or passing out other vehicles. A fatal accident occurred in England while a truck driver was sending a text message on a mobile telephone. This kind of behaviour is very common.

I support the provisions in the Bill regarding drink driving, the breathalysing of those involved in accidents and random breathalysing by the Garda. However, driving while under the influence of drugs should be an equally serious offence. There is an insidious network whereby drugs are freely available in every town, parish and village. Anyone looking for drugs does not have to travel too far. In some cases up to 90% of young people at parties may be using cannabis or whatever. I do not know much about the drugs business, but I am sure that if drug use is that prevalent, many people must be driving while under the influence of drugs. This should be regarded as being as serious an offence as drink driving.

The efforts made by the Garda and successive Governments are paying dividends in that it is becoming a social sin to sit behind the wheel of a vehicle while drunk. That is as it should be, and this campaign must not be lessened as new drivers are constantly coming on stream.

One of the nicest things about driving is that when one is stopped by a garda and one is fully compliant with all aspects of the law, this justifies all one has done in terms of insurance, tax, road worthiness of the vehicle and looking after one's physical and mental well-being while behind the wheel. However, I am sure it is a sobering thought, to use a pun, for those who are apprehended to find the long arm of the law taking them to task for being in breach of the legislation.

Statistics show that most serious accidents occur within the first six to eight weeks after a driver passes the driving test. This fact may be due to over-confidence on the part of the driver as a result of passing the test whereby he or she feels free to drive in whatever way he or she sees fit. There is a need for a continuing reminder that passing the driving test is only the start of a career in driving and that one should adhere to this principle for the duration of one's driving life.

I feel strongly that the driving test is not what it should be. I welcome the introduction of the theory test. However, the driving test which involves a 20 or 30 minute drive around the town and which the applicant will have gone over many times with his or her driving instructor does not provide any experience of driving. Poor driving conditions and the onset of dark evenings mean it is a very different experience to drive at 5 p.m. than at 10 a.m. This is particularly the case if weather conditions are bad.

An eye sight test should be a compulsory part of the driving test which should also include some night driving. Almost all those who sit the test will have to drive at night at some point. It is a different story once drivers gain experience, but in addition to the theory test and the other questions one is asked, an eye sight test and an element of night driving should form part of a comprehensive driving test.

The changes which have taken place in the past ten years pose significant difficulties for elderly people who have been driving for many years. The changes in roads structures, the introduction of roundabouts and the increased volume of traffic can make elderly people very nervous. While they may have been, and probably are, careful drivers, the traffic gives rise to pressure and concerns on their part.

The Minister, Deputy Molloy, will agree that if I left unlit concrete blocks on the road outside my house overnight, I could be convicted in a court as an accessory to manslaughter if someone died after crashing into them. The traffic calming measures introduced by the National Roads Authority are breath-taking. I will give the House an example. These measures are signalled by road signs outside towns and villages at the entrance to which traffic islands are installed. These islands usually consist of bricks surrounded by concrete barges which are supposed to include a lit arrow indicating that one should drive on the left. However, in many cases these islands are unlit and the grey concrete is impossible to see on a dark night. In every town and village these bollards have been demolished on more than one occasion by traffic crashing into them.

When I drive to Castlebar from Dublin the first of these traffic islands I come across is in Enfield where the bollard has been demolished on more than one occasion. The two bollards are gone in Ballinalack and the same is the case in Rathowen and Charlestown. The traffic island in Ballyvary outside Castlebar comprises 27 traffic cones and sandbags surrounded by unlit cones. This has been the case since last March. I wrote to the NRA three times about this situation, yet I did not even receive the courtesy of a reply.

This kind of engineering standard is lethal and contributes to serious accidents. I do not say this lightly as I wish to offer the Minister of State an alternative. The warning signs are fine but the traffic islands should be completely removed. This should be done on a pilot basis. There should be a warning that one is entering what might be called a red sector or a red speed zone whereby the first 100 metres of road leading into a town are sprayed red, such as in the case of pedestrian crossings. A red line should be put down the centre of the road until the exit point where there should again be 100 metres of red tar spray. Cameras could be erected and any driver who breaks the speed limit in the red sector should suffer a severe penalty, gaining four or five penalty points.

Concrete bollards in the centre of main roads when they are not lit and cannot be seen, even during the day, contribute to serious road accidents. I make this proposal as a serious alternative. These traffic islands are often found 500 or 600 yards outside towns or villages and drivers entering the town tend to speed up when they leave these chicanes and drive even faster than when they entered them.

Thousands of drivers do not adhere to speed limits on ring roads around towns. I have been guilty of breaking the speed limit and I have been fined for doing so. However, there is a difference between travelling at 70 miles per hour on a dual carriageway and doing so on a country road. Every tin box with four wheels is now capable of travelling at 100 miles per hour and in some social circles it is common to speak about cars which can accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in five seconds or can travel at 130 miles per hour. This happens despite our many speed limits.

How many different speed limits does one encounter on the road from Dublin to Cork? The limits vary between 20, 30, 50, 60 and 70 miles per hour. Even experienced drivers often do not know the speed limit as they drive on a particular stretch of road because they are not certain whether they are driving on a wide two-lane road, a two-lane road, a dual carriageway, a motorway or a bypass. Speed limit signage is very unclear.

There should be a dedicated highway patrol, principally of gardaí on motorcycles. Invariably one finds a driver travelling in the middle of the road at 45 miles per hour and holding up 40 or 50 vehicles. In such a situation a driver may decide to take a chance, overtake the slow driver and be caught out. A highway patrol officer could instruct the slow driver that if he wants to drive slowly he is entitled to do so but that other road users should be enabled to travel a little faster, while remaining within the speed limit. Most truck drivers pull over to allow a faster vehicle to pass and the practice of flashing lights as a thank-you sign appears to have caught on.

The practice of leaving parking lights on while driving during daylight is a good one because it helps visibility. A dedicated highway or main road patrol to assist the freer movement of traffic and driver education is an idea worth considering. One often finds a Garda patrol car driving just under the speed limit with no driver prepared to overtake it. One might drive behind such a patrol car from Ballaghaderreen to Mullingar but no driver will overtake it for fear of being pulled in.

I welcome the transfer of responsibility for designated taxi ranks to local authorities. In my home town of Castlebar the urban district council approved a licence regime for taxis and the place is lit up every weekend by taxi signs. However, there are still no designated taxi parking areas and a great deal of tension exists between the gardaí and the taxi drivers because gardaí are obliged to move taxi drivers who park in places not designated for taxi purposes. This question has been on a merry-go-round between the urban district council, the Department of the Environment and Local Government and the offices of the Commissioner of the Garda and the Attorney General for the past 12 months. It is now in the commissioner's office on its way back to the Department of the Environment and Local Government and I would be grateful if the Minister of State would hurry this matter along. It would be a source of great consolation to everyone if Castlebar Urban District Council could resolve this matter for Christmas.

The public is agreed that this is essential legislation. When enacted, the Bill will have profound bearing on the future personal safety of all vehicle drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. The carnage which happens every day and night on our roads is an indictment of all citizens but it is a particular indictment of politicians of all parties and successive Administrations that we have not done more to prevent the horrific injuries and loss of life.

Of the 64,000 students who sat the leaving certificate this year, approximately 1,000 will not live to see their 25th birthday if current road fatality trends continue. Like Deputy Kenny, I have personal experience of a serious road accident. While no one was killed, it took three ambulances to remove the injured, including myself, to hospital. The crash was the most frightening experience of my life. I was a back seat passenger and our driver was stopped on the correct side of the road when we were hit by a vehicle travelling at about 70 miles per hour, whose driver was trying to overtake on a narrow road. The experience changed my approach to driving and will affect me for the rest of my life. It was a most horrific experience which I would not wish on anyone. We should take greater action in trying to prevent such accidents happening.

It was good to hear Deputy Kenny speaking so positively about the Bill and putting forward suggestions for it. Political point-scoring never helped to resolve this issue and will not do so now. It may be that political sniping over the years helped to ensure the continuation of some of the bad practices involved. Last night I listened to an Opposition Deputy criticising the Government for taking so long to introduce the Bill and then going on to explain the constitutional difficulties attached to it. We have all indulged in that kind of nonsense over the years. Every Member has something to offer in solving this problem and we all have a responsibility to do our best to improve the situation on our roads. We owe it to the public to ensure that our criticisms are geared towards improving matters and not towards scoring political or personal points.

A Minister who takes an initiative for change is seldom supported. Everyone lauds the introduction of the driving theory test but the knee-jerk reaction of some people at the time was to complain. In that case the measure was criticised because not all learner drivers on the waiting list were to be included under the regulations. The Minister was faced with two options. He could have satisfied the latter request and blocked up the whole system or he could have proceeded, at least with one positive requirement for the future. The Minister of State proceeded, thank God.

Co-operation is needed from all sources. Comparisons are often made between the number of people killed in the Northern troubles and those killed on our roads. The major difference between attitudes to the two situations is that people demanded and were willing to work at taking action on the North but the same will did not exist with regard to our traffic problems. We could tie ourselves in knots trying to explain the reasons for inaction over the years and we would have no shortage of excuses. Lack of finance is obviously the main one. It is now time to discuss, analyse fully and implement the many measures required to improve the situation. Traffic calming is essential but I am mystified as to why dark curbing islands are placed in often unsuitable locations without proper steps to ensure effectiveness. Such steps are simple and include fluorescent painting or reflective embedded studs.

Many other issues need to be addressed, including excessive speed. I compliment the Garda for imposing fines totalling £0.25 million. While it is acceptable to allow 70 mile per hour speed limits on motorways, it is unacceptable when it means that juggernauts lane hop, regardless of their tacographs There should be different limits for different types of vehicles.

There is an ongoing problem with drink driving and drug taking while driving is becoming increasingly prevalent. Other problems include irresponsible and reckless driving, uninsured drivers and the length of time it takes to engineer better conditions at black spots. There is a need for a full analysis and re-evaluation of the existing speed limit schedules, the prohibition of sales which give control of cheap cars to groups of young people, the menace of joy riders and the provision of proper training facilities for new drivers. These and other issues are contributory factors to the daily slaughter on the roads. They must be addressed individually and whatever steps are necessary to reduce the carnage must be put in place. There are breaches of the laws covering these issues every day and in some instances very little is done to seek redress.

The overriding failure has been the tendency to treat the awful happenings on the roads in a generalised fashion rather than addressing each incident as a specific occurrence to be analysed and addressed in a positive and preventative manner. There is a shocking difference in the approach to deaths, maiming and serious injuries on the roads from the treatment of deaths occurring in industry, construction sites or farms. The only interest in road deaths appears to be the numbers involved and whether they have increased or decreased over previous years. While it is necessary to measure the number of fatalities and accidents to quantify the impact of preventative measures, it is a disgrace to refer simply to the numbers of fatalities and accidents as nothing more than statistics. Where accidents occur in industry, construction sites or farms an analysis is almost always undertaken and in many instances specific recommendations on safety or changes in work practice are recommended by the Health and Safety Authority or other industrial safety organisations.

However, in the case of road accidents we have become case hardened. It seems that because there are so many accidents there is a feeling of helplessness in terms of taking action to control them. When horrific accidents occur there is a Garda investigation into the law related aspects and concern is expressed, yet everything appears to carry on as if nothing happened. Perhaps a considerable time later – six or 12 months – a coroner may comment on a general accident black spot but recommendations for change are seldom made and even less often acted on. It means that the killing and maiming continues.

The Minister is taking a keen interest in this aspect. Our approach must change. It should be a statutory requirement to examine the cause or causes of every serious accident, regardless of whether fatalities are involved, to see how we can prevent a recurrence. At present there is no body to act in this way. I am sometimes advised the Office of Public Works, NRA or other bodies may have an interest but nobody is making an honest attempt to analyse and address the contributing factors. We must ask why this carnage is happening and insist on answers. There will be many reasons but if we are serious we must identify them, accept them as failings and address them in an honest and forthright manner. It took years, almost a generation, to deal with the drink driving culture. We had a béal bocht for everyone who was caught and, if we do not act, in ten years the same approach will be taken to those using drugs while driving.

We must examine the reasons we are lazy, sloppy and careless in our approach to the repair and maintenance of the infrastructure. Earlier this year, on a journey from Cork to Dublin, I counted no less than 45 badly damaged road signs. Some of them were relatively small direction signs in towns and villages, others were the forward warning signs which, according to the NRA and the road engineers, are so important. Local authorities are aware of how costly they are. I see these signs month after month, yet nothing is being done about them. I raised the issue at a PSE meeting with the NRA but they are still in the same condition. For the last six months outside one town a sign has been broken in halves, with one half thrown in a ditch. Others are crumpled.

This is a manifestation of the fact that the designers and location experts are incapable of locating these relatively new signs where they would not be physically damaged. What hope is there of saving pedestrians, cyclists and others if the engineering work cannot be properly executed? A simple formula can be set down for safe procedure but it is not being done. I invite anybody to drive any other route in the country and examine how many road signs are damaged. Massive improvements have been made to the design features and standard of forward warning signs but it is worrying that, given the finance available, problems surrounding their location cannot be addressed. If we are unable to undertake such a straightforward engineering task what hope have we of designing and maintaining a safe major road network? In many instances signs indicating road works are still on display months after the work has been completed. Similarly, the debris of construction material, such as gravel stones or piles of tarmacadam, is left behind.

I highlight these points to illustrate our sloppy approach to this issue. It is indicative of the kind of approach we as a nation take to certain issues. It should not be tolerated. It is damaging and adds in a big way to the problems we face. If each individual happening is analysed it would emerge that there are often contributory factors that can be addressed.

Regardless of where one drives, be it in a rural or urban area, one is almost guaranteed to find the road sign obscured by a hedge or a tree. I invite Members driving home to their constituencies to note this. It is a lethal situation and it is beyond me that it is tolerated by any local or national authority.

A number of provisions in the Bill will significantly improve national road safety. The provision on penalty points is crucial. Most people welcome it. There have been complaints about the delay in introducing it but there were problems. Deputy Kenny pointed out that individual road traffic offences may not merit disqualification. However, a collective group of offences would indicate a dangerous pattern of behaviour and such drivers should face the consequences of their action. The system is tough but not unduly onerous. We should conduct a vigorous public information campaign to make people aware of the introduction of this legislation. The system must, ultimately, be seen to be transparent and fair.

The provision whereby a person will be afforded the opportunity to pay a fixed charge which will result in the endorsement of a lower number of penalty points than would apply on court conviction must not be allowed to operate in a manner which allows better-off people to avoid the consequences of their actions. It must, instead, be seen as a sensible provision which allows for registering a penalty against people engaged in unsafe motoring without clogging up an already burdened court service. We must keep an eye on the latter aspect of that provision.

I understand there is a pilot scheme under way in the south east which provides the general public with a hotline to which they can report any dangerous motoring activity. Notwithstanding the obvious concerns one would have about making hoax or malicious claims, I would be obliged if the Minister would, at a future date, report to the House on the operation of this scheme. If it is deemed a success, it should be extended on a nation-wide basis in conjunction with the implementation of the penalty points system. It is a good initiative; I hope there will be a good response to it.

During my contribution last week on the new extradition arrangements between EU member states, I commented on how increasing co-operation between member states of the EU would lead to benefits for all. It is somewhat obvious, but a bad or dangerous driver in one country will pose similar dangers to the public in another member state. It is, therefore, to be welcomed that this Bill gives effect to the EU sponsored European Convention on Driving Disqualification which permits the imposition by one country of driving disqualification for offences com mitted in another member state. It is a quality-of-life type of initiative through which the benefits of membership of a community can best be demonstrated to its citizens.

A constituent recently informed me that on a single journey from Cork to Dublin he was overtaken on at least five occasions by people driving Great Britain or Northern Ireland registered cars at reckless speeds.

Hear, hear.

I doubt Northern drivers or their British counterparts are systematically worse drivers but I am concerned that the view exists among motorists that they are immune to the law while driving outside their own jurisdictions. I am very interested in hearing if our colleagues in the Northern Assembly have had any such observation regarding motorists from the Republic related to them. I am unsure if road safety is being addressed by the implementation bodies. Perhaps they could take a look at it in the context of the EU directive and the obvious common interest.

One of the major difficulties we have faced over the years has been the ingenuity used by legal experts to get their clients off on various traffic offences, usually drink related. For that reason and because of our written Constitution, we face a far more complex task in putting together legislation to deal with the ongoing carnage on our roads than most other countries. The approach of the legal profession was mentioned in another context but I saw an advertisement this morning stating that not alone are cases being taken on a "no foal, no fee" basis but one need not even pay for the phone call. The advertisement shows a line-up of people so that one can see exactly who they are dealing with. That, for me, smacks of irresponsibility. While we try to cope with this task, more of our people are killed or maimed. We, as politicians, must try to work together to ensure the technicalities repeatedly called upon in such circumstances are eliminated. We, as legislators, should work together on this issue – I know there will always be somebody out there trying to double-think us. It must become more socially acceptable to do the right thing by society than to get off on a technicality. It took us a long time to get that message. We must now make it socially unacceptable to get away with a major offence on a technicality.

I welcome breath-testing. I, too, appeal to the Minister to deal with the use of cannabis and drugs. We were not helped by our colleagues in the UK who last week reduced the seriousness of the cannabis use offence. Driving while under the influence of drugs must be our next target. I tabled a question to the Minister requesting any information he has regarding the frequency with which taking illegal drugs is a factor in road accidents. I am fearful such incidents are increasing.

This Bill must not be seen in isolation. The improvement in the quality of the road network is a key part of the necessary strategy to reduce fatalities.

The Minister notified me last week, in the context of the NRA plans, that 55 lives could be saved by the introduction of a proper road structure. I commend the Bill and compliment the Minister on its introduction.

I wish to share my time with Deputy Tom Hayes.

Acting Chairman (Mr. B. Hayes): Is that agreed? Agreed.

Coming as I do from County Louth, the smallest county in Ireland with a road-span of about 35 miles running through it and bisected by the national primary route and boasting – though boasting is hardly the word – the highest rate of fatalities from road deaths for many years I am glad to have the opportunity to express my views on this matter.

As I leave the Dáil after almost 20 years, I believe the two major problems facing Irish society, the adoration and glorification of alcohol, will not ever be meaningfully addressed in this House. I am fairly confident on this. If I was a gambling man I would have a punt on it but I am not, as Members know. It is a national illness, an illness to which Irish people are particularly prone. Those problems will not ever be properly addressed. Nonetheless, I welcome these initiatives which will help to minimise the carnage on our roads.

Up to 400 people are killed on our roads each year. The media does not give these fragmented events the attention they deserve. Families are left to grieve alone. If 400 people were killed in an explosion in this country the media would not leave it alone for two years. Carnage on Irish roads is directly linked to the abuse of alcohol to which Irish people are particularly prone. More people per head of population are killed on Irish roads than in any other country in Europe, but we do not address this problem in a meaningful way. One of the reasons for that is the influence which the vintners association has on Irish society and on the political world, my party included. Most rural Deputies hold their clinics in public houses and often receive a useful subscription from the owner during election time. We have all been invited by the Vintners Association to a drinks reception in Buswells Hotel. I hope to see the day when an Irish Government will come to terms with the tragedy which alcohol wreaks on the Irish nation and on young people in particular.

More people are killed in County Louth each year than in any other county. We recently had four deaths in one week, two of which were linked directly to drink. The whole country grieved at the news of the death of the two young people who were about to begin a new life in Australia. I am not saying drink was a factor in that case, I do not have any evidence to suggest that. The involvement of two huge trucks testifies to the dangers of driving from Dundalk to Dublin. Deputy Johnny Brady will be aware that two people were killed in the Louth-Meath region bringing the total number of people killed in that region in one week to seven. That is unacceptable by any standards. I ask the Minister why are cars capable of speeds up to 150 miles per hour – murder vehicles – allowed to drive on Irish roads on which the speed limit is 60 miles per hour? That is a nonsense – nonsense that we in Ireland are particularly good at. Cars are being driven at 150 miles per hour by adolescent boys who believe nothing can happen to them, only to somebody else. To allow that is like telling a child he can play with a gun but not to fire it because inevitably he will fire it out of curiosity. That nonsense could be stopped fairly easily. If we value human life, we should put governors on car engines, or is the motor lobby too strong to allow that to be done?

Why are people allowed to use mobile phones while driving cars? It is a daily occurrence to see somebody driving with one hand while deeply engrossed in conversation on a phone held in the other hand. What happens if such a conversation leads to an emotional dispute or a domestic row? Loss of concentration for even a split second can result in somebody paying with his or her life. One does not have to be an intellectual to realise that that practice is wrong. People need to concentrate totally on their driving. I do not represent myself as holier than thou – I have driven too fast on occasions – but I firmly believe the use of telephones while driving cars should be totally banned.

Deputy Dennehy referred to drivers from Northern Ireland, on whom I can offer a first hand opinion. Why are Northern drivers not prosecuted in the Irish courts for driving offences in this jurisdiction? I live within three miles of the Border, just off the Newry road at Ravensdale – a killer road. I have witnessed lunatic driving by a section of our own people but, more particularly, by Northern drivers who seem to believe that, once they cross the Border into the Republic, they are free to drive at any speed they like. There is a heavy volume of lorry traffic which travels at very high speeds and is frequently involved in tragic accidents. I ask the Minister to address that question. A very high proportion of Northern drivers have been involved in fatalities in the County Louth area over the last ten years and many of them have got off scot free.

We should consider the Swedish system of open prisons. Whether the offender is a politician, a clergyman, a businessman or an unemployed person, there is a mandatory prison sentence for people convicted of drink driving. In this country, there have been 137,000 prosecutions for drink driving since 1997. That is an average of 1,000 per month, and they are just the ones who were detected as distinct from the thou sands who get away undetected. Even one drink driving incident in a person's lifetime can have fatal consequences for that person or for someone else. Those alarming figures are an indictment of our inability to come to terms with the problem and to address the danger of alcoholic drink to Irish society in general and to motorists in particular.

The Newry road, from Dundalk to the Border, is the worst killer road in this country, with particular reference to the turn-off at the waterworks for Ravensdale. It is a major death trap with a tragedy waiting to happen. I indict the National Roads Authority and the Louth County Council for their failure to effect traffic calming and alleviating measures at this dangerous place, of which I have first hand knowledge. Plans for a western by-pass were developed back in 1984 but, while the county council acknowledge the danger to which I have referred, it is not willing to spend money until the new road is built, with traffic measures at the Ravensdale junction to be incorporated. Why wait? Why should people's lives be expendable for the sake of saving a few pounds? I am loath to criticise Louth County Council, of which I was a member for many years, but I feel it is remiss in not addressing this problem. I hope my comments may encourage the county council to implement remedial measures.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill for which people have been calling for quite some time. The huge volume of traffic on our roads and the associated safety issues are a matter of concern to all of us. I have become much more conscious of those issues as a result of commuting to Dublin and travelling within my constituency of South Tipperary. The number of accidents which are occurring and the number of near misses which one frequently sees must heighten our concern in relation to road safety.

I wish to touch on a few aspects of this huge problem. Although it may not be part of this Bill, training of drivers is an important issue. It is something we are not doing as well as we should and we need to pay more attention to it. There is no reason that a section of the transition year course in schools should not deal with training the students for driving. At that age they are not legally handling cars but they are familiar with them and watch motor racing on television. The dangers on the roads should be part of the school curriculum.

Ongoing training for drivers has been neglected. There are good and bad drivers on the roads. Some are excellent and probably do not require training but there is a huge number of other drivers who need ongoing training. With changing road conditions and increased volumes of traffic, ongoing training of drivers requires attention. If motorists were better trained there would be fewer accidents and, as a result, the cost of insurance would decrease.

Traffic calming measures were mentioned pre viously. That is an issue we have not properly addressed. When Members drive around their constituencies, they tend to check which villages require traffic calming measures. Clerihan, a village between Clonmel and Cashel, requires such measures but there is no money available. The local people have been lobbying for traffic calming measures for some time. The village has expanded greatly in recent years and last week I visited it with the roads engineer. He informed me that it needed to be done but there was not enough money because other villages throughout the county had to be dealt with beforehand. Given the increasing volume of traffic throughout the country, we need to examine what is required for such villages and put traffic calming measures in place.

We can do more. I put down a parliamentary question to the Minister about locating warning flashing lights outside schools but I received a most unsatisfactory answer. No school should be without such lights when young children are entering and leaving, particularly when there is so much traffic on the roads. The lights would warn motorists of the dangers ahead. A young child is liable to do anything, including run under a car. They forget the rules quite easily so drivers must be particularly careful when approaching schools.

Previous speakers have referred to people who drive when under the influence of drugs. This is a huge problem and we have not yet tackled it. I agree wholeheartedly with the previous speaker that we confronted the drink driving issue. It was a major problem some years ago but it has been confronted. As a matter of urgency, however, we must address the problem of motorists driving under the influence of drugs. In the course of a general conversation with a garda recently, he told me he had stopped a few young drivers whom he knew to be under the influence of drugs. They had not been drinking. He tested them for drink but he knew they had taken some other substance. This is a serious matter. That is probably the reason one will see young drivers racing cars late at night on certain stretches of the road. We have not addressed this issue yet and we must do so. I would like to discuss other issues but I do not have sufficient time.

I wish to share my time with Deputy McGuinness.

Acting Chairman

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I commend the Minister and his officials on the introduction of this Bill and on the preparation of a comprehensive set of measures designed to update the law and contribute to the improved safety of the travelling public. There are a number of aspects of the Bill on which I wish to comment and I will also mention a number of topical issues which are related to road traffic and road safety. The main items I wish to comment on are the road safety measures in the Bill, proper enforcement of these measures, Garda organisation, resources and accountability, road development under the national development plan, road safety in the haulage industry and motor insurance for young drivers.

This Bill is a further building block in the Government's national road safety strategy. Even its harshest critics must acknowledge that the Government was the first to formulate, introduce and successfully implement such a strategy. The strategy specified demanding and quantified targets in relation to road safety and the Government and various road safety agencies made themselves accountable for performance under the plan. The interim targets set under the strategy were met by the end of 2000. These were to reduce the rate of road fatalities per million inhabitants to a figure not exceeding 116 and to complete specific accident reduction measures at 240 locations on the national road network. By the end of 1999, the road fatality rate had been reduced to 112 per million and 300 accident reduction schemes had been put in place. Credit must be given where it is due and there have been further improvements since then.

The centrepiece of the Bill is the introduction of the long-awaited penalty points system for driving offences. This is specifically designed to improve road safety by clearly setting out the punitive consequences of reckless, careless and dangerous driving. By introducing a national computer-based system with national driver files, it will also give a measure of transparency and consistency to the application and enforcement of the laws in relation to road safety and road traffic offences nationwide. This is a welcome development.

I am also glad that in addition to the penalty points system, which has proved its worth in other jurisdictions, the monetary penalties for road traffic offences are being updated and increased. It is common knowledge that appeals for common sense in matters of compliance with the law generally and with road safety in particular are relatively ineffective by themselves in bringing about positive changes in human behaviour. It has been further well demonstrated that what really works is a balanced approach using the carrot and the stick.

The classic example of this was the ineffectiveness of various measures to combat illegal parking in Dublin, which impeded traffic flows as well as creating safety hazards over the years. The behaviour of vehicle owners did not seriously change until the introduction of clamping. This worked wonders in a short space of time. To be effective, the penalty points system must encompass a comprehensive education programme for drivers which clearly highlights not only the short-term consequences of losing one's licence for a period of time but the longer-term effects in terms of employment and insurance coverage. This has been done successfully in the USA. I urge the Minister and his officials not to neglect the requirement for a hard-hitting public information campaign.

I welcome the extension of the use of camera evidence. I reject the attempts by the Opposition spokesperson, Deputy Mitchell, to dilute the Bill's provisions in this regard. There is, on the basis of the carrot and stick approach I mentioned earlier, good reason to make owners responsible for the behaviour of those to whom they lend their vehicles.

The Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Dempsey, said earlier this year when he was launching this Bill that increased road safety was all about increasing driver responsibility. Cars in the wrong hands can be lethal weapons. Increased flexibility in relation to breath testing for drink driving is also to be welcomed as it is now clear beyond contradiction that a high proportion of accidents, including fatal accidents, are alcohol related. I agree with Deputy McGahon about speeding and the use of mobile phones by people driving lorries, buses, jeeps and cars. Nobody can manage a truck and at the same time be conducting business on a mobile phone.

However, enacting newer and tougher measures is of little consequence unless these measures are enforced. Some speakers have already mentioned that the existing system of on-the-spot fines has been brought into ridicule by high levels of non-enforcement with some uncivic minded people boasting about it as if it were a badge of honour. I urge the Minister to consult with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda Commissioner to ensure that these new measures are fully and properly enforced. There is little point in one arm of the State conducting expensive public education programmes if another has a laid back attitude to enforcement.

Proper enforcement leads inevitably to the issue of Garda resources for traffic management and road safety. Some of my colleagues have felt for some time that there is a strong argument for the establishment of a dedicated Garda traffic corps. I have considerable sympathy with that view.

Traffic congestion and road safety are serious issues not only in Dublin but in every town and village in Ireland. Rapidly rising prosperity has led to an explosion in car numbers and haulage vehicles in recent years. It sometimes seems that management of these issues by the Garda takes a back seat to its focus on crime and security issues. A dedicated traffic corps with adequate resources and a management of its own would bring a clear focus to these issues. Tens of millions of pounds are being lost annually through traffic congestion and road accidents. Accountability for these issues is too diffuse under the present arrangement for them to be in any way effective. The example of other administrations with dedicated traffic police could be fruitfully studied.

The current national development plan has a multi-billion pound road development programme. This is a vital component of the infrastructural development necessary to underpin our continued economic growth and to address regional and spatial imbalances by providing better links between the hinterlands of the Border, midland and western region in particular, and the major cities. These roads and motorways are being built to the highest international safety standards and we need matching road traffic laws that fully reflect modern circumstances and traffic systems.

It is of great importance that this road development programme be allowed to proceed unhindered and I am particularly pleased, coming from a farming constituency, that according to last night's announcement a satisfactory draft settlement has been reached between the Government, the IFA and the National Roads Authority on the contentious issue of compensation for farmland compulsorily acquired for road construction. I compliment my ministerial colleague, Deputy Dempsey, and the President of the IFA, Tom Parlon. I hope that any outstanding issues with the ICMSA can also be speedily settled. The road building programme can now proceed apace and farmers can be assured of getting equitable compensation for land they must surrender in the overall national interest.

While speaking on road safety and Garda resources I would also like to say a few words on the haulage industry. This industry has expanded enormously with the rapid growth in the economy and it is a sector which many observers as well as established legitimate operators feel is not well regulated. Many law abiding hauliers complain that they are being undercut by rogue operators who have scant regard for Transport Acts and regulations or issues of employee and general road safety.

I welcome the Bill. It is timely that we are discussing this legislation as we approach the Christmas season. The historical evidence is that there will be increased numbers of accidents on the roads at this time. This Bill must be examined against the backdrop of the increased number of deaths on our roads. Last year there were 415 deaths and this year to date there have been in the region of 365.

The number of cars on our roads has increased dramatically. Given the economic development in the country the number of heavy goods vehicles has increased. There has been a huge change in people's behaviour in terms of their driving ability and their behaviour towards other road users. The road rage phenomenon is now recognised worldwide. We have had experiences in this country that tell us that it is new to our roads and a phenomenon which should be considered when dealing with these issues.

The Bill will go some way towards dealing with the problems on Irish roads. There is also a need for an increase in Garda activity in this area. I compliment the gardaí on their excellent work over the years in their efforts to minimise traffic accidents, speed and other offences on Irish roads. Whatever is required in terms of Garda manpower, technology, speed traps, vehicles and any other necessary equipment, should be made available. The input of the Garda is vital. The public representatives are in favour of this process but we need to put meat on the bones – we need to invest in the system and we need to support the gardaí and grant their operational requests.

An educational process must be undertaken in the schools to teach the children, the future drivers, how to behave on our roads. There is every possibility that quite a number of them will be killed or injured on our roads in the future. County enterprise boards could also play a part. We could single out the driving schools which have constructed driving tracks. Many people use industrial estates for driving practice because they can learn how to manoeuvre vehicles in safety there. There are specially constructed tracks available for this purpose in England and on the continent. People can safely engage in the learning process before they use the roads system. That is a project that could be supported financially by county enterprise boards or indeed any other agency or organisation in each county.

Traffic calming measures have been mentioned by many speakers. In each constituency there are plenty of examples of villages and towns along the road that require lighting and proper traffic management. The need for speed control and pedestrian priority in these locations must be acknowledged and funded. I also want to draw the Minister's attention to the working of the NRA regarding road design. On many occasions in this House I have asked the Minister to single out one particular road bypass, the PiltownFiddown bypass in my constituency, to see if there is anything we can learn from the road construction programme undertaken there by the NRA in conjunction with the local council. I believe that the drink-driving advertisement that appears on television could have been based on one particular house in the constituency.

This brings up the question of safety issues. In 11 kilometres of road there are 13 right-hand junctions. Some of the accidents that happened recently in other counties were due to poorly marked out right-hand junctions. Such is the fear of the local community with regard to road safety that they have prevailed upon the local county council to introduce ghost islands with lights on each of those junctions. That was unanimously endorsed by the members of Kilkenny County Council. The council was then told that this must be approved, first, by the NRA and funded by it if necessary. This is a safety issue and a matter of grave concern for road users and the people who live in that area.

I formally repeat my request to the Minister to reconsider and appoint a Department official to examine the Norris case and the PiltownFiddown bypass from the point of view of road safety and the safety of the Norris family. Road design is critical in this area.

Whenever discussion takes place on road accidents the question of young drivers always comes up. I am a member of the Committee on Enterprise and Small Business and we spoke to the insurance industry representatives about this matter. It is an outrage that insurance companies are allowed to increase insurance premia again this year. This puts insurance beyond the reach of young drivers. Not every young driver is irresponsible and, indeed, it is not the sole preserve of the young. There are many drivers of all ages who travel on the roads without insurance. My greatest fear is that because of the prohibitive rates of insurance, it is out of the reach of those who require a car for the purposes of work or other reasons. This issue is in urgent need of review.

The Committee on Enterprise and Small Business has been trying to deal with this matter but has not had success. This year the insurance industry appears to be looking for increases of up to 60%. While the events of 11 September are to be regretted, they are being blamed for every increase that takes place. I fear this may be simply an excuse by some insurance companies to hike up the cost of insurance beyond reason and those who will suffer most from this are young drivers.

In this economy the people who travel most, for work and other reasons, are young married couples. Many young people travel from my constituency in Kilkenny to Dublin on a daily basis for work. We need to do something urgently about the insurance industry. Will the Minister, in the context of this Bill, revisit this area? Perhaps it will not be addressed under this Bill, but it needs to be considered. I urge the Minister to engage with the insurance industry to see if we can find some solution to the issue of over-priced insurance.

Reference has been made to the haulage industry and speed. I come from a haulage industry background and know that every truck is now fitted with a speed control unit. I believe there is a further need to engage with this industry, and indeed with car manufacturers, to ensure that the safety measures that we discuss in this House and that should be implemented, are complied with by car and truck manufacturers. It is absolutely necessary that speed controls on these vehicles are implemented as it is easy to bypass them, but this can be stopped at source by the manufacturers.

I am encouraged by this Bill and hope it will be implemented as quickly as possible and that all the resources necessary to ensure its success will be made available.

With the agreement of the House I will share time with Deputy McCormack.

Acting Chairman

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I welcome this Bill. The statistics for fatalities and injuries caused by road accidents are horrific when one considers that on average at least one person per day will die on our roads. That is a staggering statistic for a small country. The amount of traffic on our roads has increased enormously over recent years. As has been said previously by some of my colleagues, a car is an essential part of everyday life, especially in rural areas. Young people need cars to get to work as there is no alternative means of transport. We can bring in all the legislation we like in this House but if the law is not imposed it will not be effective. I believe we need a national traffic corps in the Garda just as there are special corps in other areas.

I am sure even Members of this House are guilty of some irresponsibility while driving. One misdemeanour of which I am very conscious is that when a car stops outside a house to let somebody out, they do not turn off their headlights. A stationary car with its headlights on is absolutely lethal. There may be some chance for an oncoming car when meeting a car with full headlights but a stationary car's lights are totally blinding. In my experience flashing one's lights or hooting the horn at such a driver elicits no response, which leads me to the belief that this is considered normal practice. Incredibly those people do not have their warning lights on at the back of the car, instead they leave their headlights on. If an accident occurs they plead that they had their lights on and could not be responsible. I hope the Minister will make recommendations at the Cabinet table to his colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, that a separate unit of the Garda be set up to deal with traffic.

Some of my colleagues referred to daytime lights. Accidents during daylight are mostly related to cars overtaking that meet other cars head-on. At this time of the year, especially toward dusk, people take chances when overtaking. Ten years ago it was possible to take this risk but today's levels of traffic do not permit it. The odds are that there will be oncoming traffic. I do not want to focus on young drivers, but because cars are very powerful nowadays, people are tempted to overtake. People frequently drive at 50 and 60 miles per hour, even on minor roads. Then, one spots a car in one's rear view mirror which is suddenly on top of one's rear bumper with the driver beeping the horn as he attempts to pass. Many accidents are caused when account is not taken of oncoming traffic. The lighting of roads, which was introduced as a pilot scheme in the past, could help in this regard.

The use of mobile telephones in cars has been mentioned but anything that causes one to take one's eye off the road is dangerous. One is bound to lose concentration if one is in a telephone conversation while driving, no matter to whom one is talking, although it might depend on that nature of the conversation. If one is in conversation with one's bank manager, one will lose concentration very quickly.

Or one's wife if she is in bad form.

A traffic corps could be set up to monitor such activity on a full-time basis. Much of this carelessness could be eliminated as motorists would have to be more wary on the roads.

The NRA is a great mystery. It is like something up in the sky which one cannot reach. County councils throughout the State send deputations to the NRA. Officials of the authority meet the local authority officials, look them up and down, are very nice to them and that is the end of the process. The Minister and his Department will say roads are the responsibility of the NRA. The authority is the answer to everything but it has solved nothing.

The transfer of traffic management powers from local authorities to the NRA demonstrates how out of touch is the Department. The NRA, by all means, should oversee road building but it does not want to know about traffic calming and other measures. Local authorities cannot implement such measures on national primary routes because it is the responsibility of the authority. I appeal to the Minister to restore some powers to local authorities. County councillors and county engineers understand local problems. I hope the Minister will examine this issue.

Local authorities will be provided with more responsibility for taxi licensing and so on, which is welcome. The Longford by-pass on the N5 is essential. I hope the Minister will use his influence to progress that project because it is badly needed. People from the west are held up day in, day out, as they attempt to drive through Longford town. Heavy traffic passes through the town and it is not good enough that such traffic should have to try to negotiate its way through a county town.

The number of cars and other vehicles on our roads has more than doubled in recent years. No matter what the time, there is always traffic on the roads. Naturally this has led to drivers taking more chances and has increased the likelihood of accidents. I welcome the provisions in the legislation to deter motorists from taking chances. There is traffic chaos in our towns and cities because of the increased number of vehicles on the road.

However, the enactment of the legislation will also have far-reaching consequences for drivers. It will not affect those who obey the rules of the road and drive correctly, but continual offenders may be deterred from doing so again. The penalty points system is quite severe but an intensive publicity campaign will be needed to alert drivers because many do not realise what are the penalties. I do not mean a full page advertisement in the weekend newspapers with a colour photograph of the Minister telling people what they should do as has been the practice in the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs. The Minister was looking out at me from every newspaper last Sunday and Monday.

The Minister gets the blame when everything goes wrong so he ought to get the credit when everything goes right.

That is not the correct way to inform the public. It is only a publicity stunt on behalf of the Minister. Every licence holder should be informed by post what are the penalties for breaching the rules of the road when the Bill is enacted because that is the best form of the publicity.

Does the Minister support the recent decision of the Minister for Public Enterprise to permit 50% of freight carried on the rail network to be transferred to our roads? Are there not enough heavy goods vehicles on the roads already without adding 50% of rail freight? HGVs are responsible for accidents such as the high profile accident in Louth recently. Two lorries were involved with one hitting a car that was turning right from behind and shunting it into the path of another. Tragically, two young people in their 20s who had planned to emigrate to Australia were killed.

Deputy Kenny referred to the hazard caused by traffic turning right on national primary and secondary roads. As a line of traffic approaches a right hand junction at which a car is turning right, the first driver in the line can see the car is turning but the driver in the fourth or fifth car will often attempt to pass out cars immediately in front of him or her and crash into the car turning right. The design of such junctions should be improved.

Deputy Kenny also mentioned the pilot scheme under which traffic islands were built outside towns on national, primary and secondary routes. What were the results of the scheme? I do not know how many times the islands were damaged by cars but there is nothing to stop a car from crashing into an island. There must be a better way. The traffic islands were only installed on a trial basis. I would like the Minister to inform the House about the findings of that scheme. They have reduced speed but has the number of accidents been reduced? The design of traffic islands could be improved or they could be removed altogether and other measures taken, including the use of security cameras and more severe penalties for motorists who break speed limits in built up areas. Traffic islands have failed; indeed they have been a contributory factor in many accidents.

A number of speakers dealt with young drivers. I realise the difficulties with young drivers because I had four in my house – they were in my house, they are in different houses now – and there are many young people in the public gallery. Insurance for young drivers is increasing because an examination of the statistics indicate that the majority of people killed on the roads are young drivers, particularly young male drivers between the ages of 17 and 25 years. It is on these facts that insurance companies base their premiums. The majority of these people are not killed on their way to work. The majority of accidents occur between Thursday night and early on Monday morning.

Parents have a great responsibility in this regard. If a parent gives his or her powerful car to a 20 year old son for the weekend, a grave responsibility rests on that parent to ensure that young person drives in a correct and safe manner. A bigger responsibility rests with the parent to ensure he or she does not give the young person a car which can reach a speed of 110 or 115 miles per hour, despite the fact that the speed limit is 60 or 65 miles per hour. If there are three or four young family members who reach driving age, it would be advisable to only allow them to drive these powerful cars when accompanied by one of the parents. I would lay down such a rule up to a certain age. If they must have their own car to go to work, to a match or any other social event or weekend activity, it should be a low powered car. There is nothing wrong with driving a Ford Fiesta which cannot travel comfortably at more than 50 miles per hour.

Unfortunately, we will hear of accidents next weekend, the following weekend and so on because the statistics indicate that eight people on average are killed on the roads every week. Unfortunately, eight people will be killed again next week and if only seven are killed, nine people will be killed the following week. When one hears about a tragedy where a young family's car hit a tree, the car went off the road or it was involved in a head-on collision with a heavier vehicle, speed and lack of experience in controlling a high powered car is the cause of such accidents. That did not affect our generation because we did not get the opportunity to drive high powered cars. Parents have a considerable role to play in this regard and they must endeavour to save lives by talking to their young families about the dangers involved. Young people do not realise – I have seen how my children drive – how easily speed can pick up in a high powered car.

In the time I have left I would like to ask the Minister a few questions on the Bill. The explanatory memorandum states that the Bill transfers responsibility for control of taxi stands and bus stops from the Garda Commissioner to local authorities. Will local authorities be compensated or provided with the necessary staff to carry out this function? Many functions have recently been hived off to the local authorities. These include the control of pollution and planning functions, but adequate staffing is not being made available to local authorities to deal with this extra work. As this will be extra work for local authorities, will the Minister provide them with extra staff to fulfil the functions assigned by the Bill?

Section 2 deals with the endorsement of the penalty points system. The explanatory memorandum states that in the case of most penalty point offences, a person will be afforded the opportunity to pay a fixed charge, as set out in section 11, which will result in the endorsement of a lower number of penalty points than would apply on court conviction. I would like clarification on that point because it seems like a buy-out whereby if a person is fined he or she will have a lesser number of penalty fines for the same offence.

The Deputy must conclude as his time is almost up.

I will raise some questions on Committee Stage when the Minister will be able to give me direct answers. I look forward to obtaining answers at that stage.

The Road Traffic Act, 1961, is probably one of the most significant Acts on the Statute Book. It introduced a series of initiatives such as disqualification orders, the offences of dangerous and careless driving and the requirement for a driving test. It seems incredible today that at one time there was no offence of dangerous and careless driving and that there was no requirement for a driving test.

Since 1961 there has been a comprehensive code relating to drink driving, speed limit controls and the change in the role of local authorities in regard to traffic control. This Bill goes much further. It is aimed at improving road safety in tandem with the Government's five year national strategy, with a target of a 20% reduction in deaths and injuries within the lifetime of the strategy. The Government is the first ever to have adopted a national road safety strategy. As part of that strategy the Government has made itself more accountable than before for progress on road safety activities.

Although it is not immediately evident from the horrific accidents which are reported every week in the media, there has been a significant improvement in road safety measures. As the Minister outlined, between 1997 and 2000 the level of road deaths fell by 12.1% and the number of serious injuries decreased by almost 25%. The indications are that these trends have been maintained in 2001.

Obvious and visible progress has been made in the area of law enforcement. In 2000, 224,000 on-the-spot fine notices were issued for speeding. Some 59,000 notices were issued for the non-wearing of seat belts and 10,400 detections for drink driving. The Bill aims to support further the Government's road safety strategy in an effort to reduce the unacceptably high numbers of road deaths and injuries through the introduction of new deterrents and financial penalties for traffic offences. When the Bill becomes law it will result in the introduction of the much debated penalty points system. It will also result in fines being increased significantly for road traffic offences. It will introduce a revised system of fixed charges to replace the current on-the-spot fines system. It will extend the use of cameras and permit preliminary breath testing of drivers when involved in a road accident or a breach of road traffic law. It will allow an EU state to disqualify a driver for offences committed in another EU state and it will allow the Minister to buy in services under the Road Traffic Acts. It will also transfer responsibility for taxi stands and bus stops from the Garda to the local authorities.

Probably one of the most radical elements of the Bill is the introduction of the long-awaited penalty points system, similar to that in operation in four other EU countries and which it is acknowledged has been successful in reducing road casualties. The Minister indicated in his speech that there are legal and constitutional difficulties which have to be considered before the introduction of the penalty points system. However, on passing the Bill it will become law, which is welcome.

There are currently a number of very serious offences in respect of which a conviction will lead automatically to the loss of a driving licence. In many cases disqualification only applies on conviction for a second or subsequent offence. The new penalty points system will extend to those offences that have a direct impact on road safety, which is welcome.

The penalty points system allows drivers in the majority of cases, when they have received notice of an offence, to pay the fixed charge and incur a low level of points or to decide to go to court.Unlike penalty point systems which apply in other jurisdictions, there is certainty for the driver of the level of penalty points which will apply, where a fixed charge is paid or where a conviction is given. If the court convicts a person the level of penalty points is increased significantly. The option of paying a fixed charge is not being made available for certain offences and that is right and proper. These include careless driving, using a vehicle without insurance and driving a dangerously defective vehicle.

I do not know if the Minister has considered accepting payment of fines by way of instalments. It is unacceptable that people should be jailed for not paying fines if they are not in a position to pay the entire amount in one instalment. Where payment for a fine is not received within 28 days there will be a 50% increase on the fine payable. I ask the Minister to accept the payment of fines by instalment. We want to see the removal of motoring offences from the courts but we certainly do not want to see an increase in the number of people jailed for not paying fines. Will the Minister, with his colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform – who I assume is responsible for this area – consider accepting fines by way of instalment?

Where a motorist receives 12 penalty points over a three year period an automatic six months disqualification from driving will follow. This is the first time anyone will be disqualified from driving without the involvement of the courts and I welcome that. It will release more time in court schedules for matters other than those covered by the Road Traffic Acts. There will not be a change in the current circumstances where disqualification follows conviction for a single serious offence. I welcome the necessary IT support infrastructure which is vital to the success of this system. There is no point in putting a system in place unless it can be implemented.

Unless there are real and tangible penalties some drivers will refuse to alter the way they drive. The possible loss of their driving licences, in addition to heavy fines, will, I hope, force those drivers to drive with more care, attention and consideration for other drivers and pedestrians. Fear is a much stronger motivation than a sense of responsibility. Section 9 allows for co-operation with other EU member states in applying driving disqualification for a number of serious road traffic offences committed in another member state. This is based on the European Convention on Driving Disqualification which I understand was signed by Ireland in 1998. This will ensure that a person who commits a serious traffic offence in one EU country cannot continue to drive in another member state. Deputy McGahon's contribution referred to some instances of that. Most traffic enforcement will no longer have to be dealt with by the courts. There will be a radical review of fines for traffic offences, the introduction of fixed charges and extension of the use of cameras in detecting offences. This is also to be welcomed for a number of reasons. Motorists will know the consequences of their actions and it will free up court time.

When the laws on drink-driving were changed in 1994 a commitment was given that there would be a review of the requirement for a garda to form the opinion that a person had been drinking before a breathalyser could be used. This Bill makes good that commitment and extends the power of the Garda regarding the use of breathalysers. Section 10 allows a garda to request a breath specimen where a driver is involved in a road accident or where an offence is considered to have been committed. This has not been the position before and when presenting a case in court a garda had to support the use of a breathalyser by saying he believed a driver to have in his system, more than the permitted alcohol limit. This is in addition to the powers of the Garda to conduct a breath test where there is a suspicion that a driver has been drinking. These powers have been extended because research shows that alcohol is a factor in up to 33% of fatal accidents in Ireland. The Bill does not currently allow for random breath testing but the Minister has indicated that he looks forward to Committee Stage and that may indicate he is amenable to revisiting this area.

Section 30 is innovative and is to be welcomed. Heavy lorries travel through residential areas in parts of my constituency at all hours of day and night. Industries, in some cases most inappropriate industries such as cement manufacturers, preceded housing in those areas. I would appreciate if the Minister would indicate if it is necessary for the local authority to request that the Minister make regulations under this section in specific areas. Maybe he could identify how this will work in specific areas.

The extension of the role of local authorities in implementing traffic controls, provided for under the Road Traffic Act, 1994, is very evident and has been reasonably successful in the Dublin area. That is despite much criticism from both the public and local authority members. The dreaded clampers in the Dublin local authority area have succeeded in bringing about a major change in parking violations and the abuse of bus lanes by motorists. Once motorists realise there is a penalty and the law will be enforced their behaviour changes dramatically. There was a time, since I became a Member of the Oireachtas, where there was no chance of getting a parking space in the environs of St. Stephen's Green. Metered parking spaces, bus lanes and the prohibition of a left turn at the end of Dawson Street are all obeyed by motorists because they know they will be clamped, or a garda will be waiting at the end of the bus lane and a fine will result.

There is no point in having laws in place unless they are enforced. The statistics which the Minister gave in his Second Stage speech show that enforcement and implementation is high in a number of areas. Fines are being applied and clamping is being used to free parking spaces. That ensures that people can come to the city and use the parking facilities. They are no longer used by people who park for the day, feed the meter for one hour and then disappear for another seven. The extension of the role of the local authorities in implementing traffic laws has worked in Dublin and I presume has worked outside the city also.

This Bill gives power to local authorities to determine the location of stands for taxis. There was a great deal of debate when the taxi industry was deregulated as to whether there would be enough taxi stands and who would provide additional ones. It also extends the powers of local authorities to decide where bus stops can be located. That seems an obvious proposal. Perhaps the gardaí and the local authorities decide where bus stops are positioned. In my experience there are many bus stops beside continuous white lines. I have brought that to the attention of the local authority but nothing was done; perhaps those authorities are above the law. I do not know why bus stops are placed parallel to continuous white lines because they are serious traffic hazards and increase the possibility of accidents. The involvement of local authority members should mean safer positioning of bus stops.

Can the Minister of State confirm that enforcement of weight limits will still be carried out by the gardaí? It is the only criticism I have of Garda enforcement because in my constituency there are significant three tonne weight limits in Ballyfermot, Inchicore, Crumlin and Drimnagh but they are not being enforced by the gardaí. I know they have a lot to do but there is no point in having such restrictions if they are not enforced. Admittedly, they are difficult to enforce because if a lorry is stopped on the Inchicore Road, for example, the driver will say he is heading to the industrial estate and must use the Inchicore Road. Maybe the gardaí have given up on this. Will the Minister confirm the gardaí are still responsible for enforcing those limits? I presume they are the only ones who can do it. They should be encouraged to enforce the limits as they are not being enforced in a meaningful way at present.

There have been repeated calls by reputable driving schools to the Minister to approve driving schools but nothing was done before the publication of this Bill. I welcome section 18 which deals specifically with the matter as it gives the Minister power to approve bodies for the purpose of quality control among driving instructors. That is only right as people go to driving instructors and hand over the money in the belief that those instructors are reputable and qualified. However, that is not the case at present as presumably anyone with a driving licence can set up a driving school and give instruction. That is totally unsatisfactory and I welcome section 18 which introduces controls for driving schools.

The use of cameras for the enforcement of traffic laws is also very welcome. At present cameras can only be used to establish the speed of a vehicle and they are very effective in that context. However, I understand the Bill allows cameras to be used to enforce traffic laws generally.

I support previous speakers who referred to drivers using mobile phones. This is not covered in the Bill but it is a safety matter which cries out for urgent attention. The Minister must ensure that anyone using a mobile phone in a car is using a hands free set. Last week I saw a lady driving around a roundabout with a cigarette in one hand and a mobile phone in the other. She must have been steering with her knees because there was no other way she could have been driving the car. The use of side or dipped lights in winter should also be looked at. Previous speakers referred to the traffic islands outside small towns which have been built as a traffic calming measure and are very successful . Such speed controls have had an effect on my driving.

When my father taught me to drive I was 17 and he told me to go on the road believing everyone else was an idiot, to assume they would make mistakes or cause accidents and to anticipate that. That was probably good advice that applies equally today. This Bill is not a panacea but is part of the Government strategy. The other matter the Minister should address is a gender issue. Young boys drive differently from girls and I speak as a mother of two girls and a boy. Boys' cars have souped-up engines and the boy racer syndrome means they do not like to be seen as learner drivers, so they do not use learner plates. Advertising campaigns must be addressed at young men who do not like to be seen as unable to drive.

I propose to share my time with Deputy Ring.

I am delighted to speak on this Bill because we do not have sufficient opportunities to speak on road safety, traffic management and the other issues which affect safe travel on our roads. I agree with many of the previous speakers about distractions but I am not so sure about the mobile phone as it is an easy victim. Long ago when one was learning to fly a plane, one was supposed to be able to land or take off while using the intercom at the same time. If one could not do so one did not pass one's test. One should be trained to use something and respect it, whether it is a mobile phone, the car heater or radio otherwise we will have people pulling in to change gears. These are all distractions which remove one's focus. However, mobile phones should be placed high on the dashboard so the driver does not have to look down and take their eyes off the road to take a call.

When people suggest every car should pull in, they should remember it is illegal to pull in on a motorway. That cannot be done, so there are contradictions we should recognise. I welcome the Bill generally but I am concerned by the mandatory penalties. Given the decisions of the courts in relation to other matters recently, I have considerable doubts as to how some of these regulations would fare in the courts later.

What are the real causes of accidents on the roads? The first is the way we learn to drive. Years ago I proposed off-the-road, simulated instruction for all drivers. It would have been hugely beneficial but it has never been taken up. There was never any move to further the proposal. Insurance is another issue. A driver who is named on a parent's insurance can drive for ten years but most insurance companies give him or her no benefit when he or she opt to insure themselves. That is ridiculous as it is obvious that if the driver were clocking up credits while driving on a parent's insurance it would focus him or her on driving since it would be to his or her benefit to keep a clean record.

The biggest single contributing factor to road accidents is bad roads. It is not a reflection on the Minister of State as I have said to his face many times in the past. There are countless places in the country where up to 25 fatal accidents have taken place. In one area in my constituency the tally is about 23 in the last 18 or 19 years. Why is that? Is this because people are using mobile telephones, switching on the radio, turning up the car heater, changing gear or allowing themselves to be distracted by something passing by? It is a coincidence that each of these factors should lead to accidents at the same location. There has to be another contributory factor, and I believe it is the safety of the road itself. Signs indicating accident black spots have been erected in hundreds of locations where many people have tragically died. Why do we not learn? Why have we not done something about it? Instead of posting a warning, accusing the Garda of not doing enough or saying people are driving too fast, we should consider improving the safety of the roads. It is the simplest way to address the problem.

Let us look at the matter a little more carefully. Serious accidents take place at junctions serving minor roads. Such junctions are often inadequately illuminated, poorly surfaced and served by substandard signage. One can check the scene of any accident to confirm that these matters are major contributory factors. Another cause of accidents is the parking of vehicles on the margins of motorways. When we speak of solving this appalling problem, we need to look at all issues rather than dealing with one or two of them.

Poor driving is another factor that contributes to the high incidence of road accidents. Those who have developed bad motoring habits and who drive dangerously may escape for a while, but not indefinitely. All Deputies have observed motorists who pull out in front of traffic, only looking in one direction. This has led to countless accidents, but those responsible complain that the oncoming motorist did not see them. Motorists are not always to blame, however, as they are often plagued by zig-zag cyclists, including couriers dressed in camouflage. Such cyclists often move with great alacrity from one side of the road to the other, without regard for the rules of the road or their personal safety. More accidents are waiting to happen due to the fact that heavy goods vehicles drive up the centre of the main thoroughfare of every village, town and city in Ireland. Local authorities have narrowed many junctions and put in place unsuitable regulations, but they blame someone else when accidents happen. The concentration of heavy goods vehicles in urban areas will continue to create serious problems.

At dusk in our cities, it can be difficult to determine where cycle lanes begin and end and to distinguish between the lanes for buses, cars and bicycles. One needs a map, or perhaps to get out of one's car to look at the road markings, to understand what is going on. This is another contributory factor. There will always be accidents, but we should do our best to eliminate as many of them as possible. One naturally assumes our actions will contribute to a reduction in the number of accidents.

I have covered almost all the matters that annoy me from time to time, including mobile phones, radios, lighting cigarettes and smoking, but I wish to outline two other bugbears of mine. The first of these is people who gaze at passers by. How often does one see people driving in one direction, but looking in another? It is a recipe for disaster, along the lines of a lady I observed steering her car with her knees. Another matter that frustrates me has been mentioned by Deputies during this debate. Increased traffic has caused great difficulty in determining where one should turn right, especially at staggered junctions. Oncoming traffic tends to blind motorists at night and junctions and road markings can become blurred. As the volume of traffic increases, this problem will cause a greater number of accidents. The National Roads Authority has addressed the problem to an extent, but not as much as it should have.

The final matter I wish to discuss has been raised by Deputy Belton, who complained about the pilgrimage public representatives have to make to the offices of the NRA, which was set up by an order of this House as an appendage to a Department. It is an unfortunate sign of the times that elected public representatives have to make representations to an unelected public body that is accountable to nobody.

I wish to start by asking a question, which should be answered when the debate is being concluded. Will the Minister of State, Deputy Molloy, outline the rules and regulations as regards lighting, especially spotlights on lorries? One thinks one is about to encounter a circus when one sees lorries that are extravagantly illuminated, but it is a dangerous and serious matter. The Minister of State should contact the Garda Commissioner so the House can be informed of the relevant regulations. Given that one will now be banned from driving if one does not dim one's headlights, why are people allowed to drive with high powered spotlights? Something needs to be done, as the law is not being implemented. It is a disgrace that different lighting is used for cars and lorries. Instead of taking the soft option of collecting £50 from those caught speeding by a camera, the Garda Síochána should deal with this more serious law breaking. When one leaves Dublin on a Friday evening, it might take five minutes to travel three miles or it might take an hour to travel ten miles. If one travels at 35 miles per hour in an area where the speed limit is 30 miles per hour, one runs the risk of getting a ticket.

The second point I wish to make is that I am totally against the new penalty points system which will not focus on those who should be targeted. The system will be another case of aiming for a simple target to bring in more money for the Government without dealing with the real problem. If I cannot swim, but I jump into a swimming pool, I will drown. Similarly, we allow 17 year olds to drive cars even though they have not been taught how to drive. There is no place for them to go to learn how to operate the most dangerous machinery in the world and many of them kill or are killed as a result. We are once more starting with the simplest plan in the world, to fine people and put them off the road. It is all about money.

The Government should establish centres where young people can learn how to drive. One cannot get married without having attended a pre-marriage course so one should not be allowed on the road in a car, potentially to murder other motorists, if one does not know how to drive. A car is a weapon if it is not used properly. Driving schools should be set up in every corner of the country to instruct young people and to encourage good habits from the beginning. If this does not happen, one will get used to speeding and will not desist from this behaviour unless caught by the Garda. People are trained incorrectly from the beginning and pick up bad habits which are difficult to get rid of.

There is a soft attitude towards drink driving in this country and judges can sometimes be too lenient. There is great sympathy for the drunkard. The attitude is, "The poor fella, isn't it very sad that he has a drink problem". However, nothing is said when he gets into a car drunk and kills a young boy or girl. The reaction to such cases is that it is very sad as the individual has always had a problem with alcohol. Sympathy towards drunkards is the cause of many of our problems.

We introduced legislation which made it easier for people to get drunk and stay out all night. The Minister of State received much criticism for his measures regarding taxis, but I compliment him as he was right. There were not enough taxis and he was right to deregulate the industry and to take action when the taxi industry was not prepared to do so. In the past people took chances with drink driving because they could not get taxis at night. The Minister of State's measures were necessary.

I wish to raise the NRA's practice over the past five or six years whereby yellow lines which mark the hard shoulder on good roads have been moved further out. The result of this practice is that two-lane roads have been reduced to a single lane. The Garda is very good at dealing with speeding offences, but I have never seen a garda take action against someone driving at 30 mph in a 60 mph zone. Such cars hold up other traffic, drivers become frustrated and try to overtake leading to accidents. What was the reason for the NRA's decision to move the yellow lines? This practice has meant that drivers move to the centre of the road and will not pull over to allow other traffic to overtake. The legislation should stipulate that slow drivers should be allowed to pull onto the hard shoulder to allow other traffic to overtake. This problem leads to frustration on the roads.

The Department of the Environment and Local Government, the Government and every political party in this House are encouraging people to come to this country. They want people to come to this country and use our roads, yet the most common complaint made to Bord Fáilte over the past 20 years has concerned signage. Why are we against signage?

I have been a member of a local authority for 20 years. An Taisce does not favour increased levels of signage but what is wrong with giving people clear directions? If one drives in England, continental Europe, the US and elsewhere one notices that the roads signs are very simple. The Government, Bord Fáilte and everyone else is guilty of failing to erect proper signage. Accidents are caused by drivers getting lost, reversing and going down the wrong roads because of the lack of proper signage. It is time something was done about this problem.

Members on all sides blame young drivers but I do not agree. I blame this and previous Governments for introducing legislation such as this without putting in place a mechanism to teach young people how to drive. My daughter wished to learn to drive. I advised her to go to a driving instructor but how is she to learn to drive without using the road? Training centres located in Castlebar, Galway, Westport or wherever would make it easy for young people to learn to drive properly.

I tabled a question recently, and I will do so again, regarding the number of prosecutions. People are critical of drivers and they are right in some cases. However, one never hears criticism of pedestrians. One often has the experience of waiting at traffic lights and when one gets the green light three or four pedestrians walk across the road. If a driver hits a pedestrian, the driver is blamed even though he or she had a green light. There are few prosecutions of pedestrians who have a responsibility to observe red and green lights. However, one never sees them doing so. The attitude of pedestrians is that they can walk across the road if they so wish and that the law is on their side. I experienced such an incident on O'Connell Bridge recently when a pedestrian walked across the road in front of cars which had just been given the green light.

I am not in favour of the use of cameras. I recently tabled a question on these cameras which have taken in a record amount of revenue for the Government by way of fines. We should start at the beginning by putting the infrastructure in place, such as roads and training centres. Only then should penalties be put in place. However, it is an Irish solution to an Irish problem to start at the other end by crucifying the punter. That is what we are doing.

(Wexford): I wish to share time with Deputy Haughey.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

(Wexford): I welcome the Bill and compliment the Minister of State for introducing it. Over the past number of years Members on all sides of the House have called for the introduction of a penalty points system for which this Bill will provide. We must welcome this development because of the number of road accidents.

The number of accidents seems to increase every week, particularly those involving young people. The Minister of State referred to the 12% reduction between 1997 and 2000, yet media reports seem to indicate that the accidents are getting worse and more young people are dying. I have been through this trauma as my daughter was killed in a road accident three years ago. The sadness, trauma and sense of loss stay with a family forever and legislation which minimises the number of accidents and reduces the number of people killed on the roads has to be welcomed.

One can never get the perfect system, but the two main problems seem to involve young drivers and drink driving. Deputy Ring suggested that we are being too lenient in dealing with drink driving offences. Despite the publicans' lobby it may be time to introduce a system whereby one does not drive at all if one drinks. We may be coming to this point as the majority of accidents, particularly those involving young people, can be traced to the weekends, discos and drink driving. We have to get tough on this issue and, as politicians, perhaps we have to make tougher decisions.

Today young people have more money than in the past. When I was growing up it was rare for young people to have a car. The first car to which one aspired may have been an Austin A40, a Morris Minor or some banger which was not capable of travelling too fast. However, the majority of cars driven by young people have 2000 or 2001 registrations and are Fiat Puntos, Peugeots and other cars which are capable of high speeds.

Deputy McGahan suggested that a speed limiter could be installed in cars driven by young people to control their speed. There is no doubt that fast cars are dangerous weapons which cause the majority of accidents. Most young people are not experienced drivers. In my area many young people do not take driving lessons. In the past the high cost of insurance kept many young people off the road. However, they are now earning good money and can afford the insurance. They complain to politicians about the high cost of insurance and I agree, but it is not preventing an increasing number of young people from buying new cars. It is essential that young people have cars but they must also undergo proper training and testing. Before any person can get a provisional licence he should have to produce a certificate from a reputable school of motoring to say he has received at least ten or 12 driving lessons. One must produce a provisional licence in order to insure a car. One should also have to produce a certificate to show that one has clocked up a certain number of hours learning to drive before one can get a provisional licence. The Minister of State should examine this suggestion.

The question of road accidents and manners on the road have become such serious problems that the subject should be introduced at second and third level education. The Ministers for the Environment and Local Government and Education and Science should come together and initiate pilot schemes in an effort to encourage people to know the rules of the road and to improve the standard of driving on our roads.

The National Roads Authority is penny-pinching on safety at major junctions. The authority has refused to allocate money for public lighting at many accident-prone junctions. For many years there were frequent accidents at Scarawalsh in Enniscorthy. We argued with the National Roads Authority for a long time and eventually public lighting was installed at the junction. Since then the accident rate has dropped significantly. Public lighting at major junctions decreases the number of accidents and I ask the Minister of State to encourage the National Roads Authority to spend more money on this area.

I was recently in Arizona on a fund raiser for Crumlin Hospital.

The Deputy did well.

(Wexford): I did. I raised a few bob, and other things. The speed limit in Tucson is 60 miles per hour during the day and 45 miles per hour after nightfall. In large urban centres we could examine the possibility of dropping the night-time speed limit to a safer rate. The majority of accidents happen at night and there is a need to examine this idea.

We all use mobile phones nowadays and many of us have become very careless in their use. They are used by bus drivers, lorry drivers and car drivers. Politicians use them at least as much as anyone else but we do not always use a hands-free system when driving. It is essential that the Minister of State look at the possibility of introducing an amendment to the Bill to allow only hands-free mobile phones to be used when driving. We may as well introduce such a measure this year as later. The use of mobile phones while driving is a cause of accidents and a major concern to the public. One sees bus and lorry drivers speaking on mobile phones while driving at 60 or 70 miles per hour, and the same is true of car drivers.

We spend millions of pounds building new roads and then we spend further millions on traffic calming measures, traffic lights on roundabouts and other measures to make them safe. I often wonder about the sense of it all. The work of some engineers leaves a lot to be desired. Some traffic calming measures are no more than monstrosities and blights on the landscape. It is a waste of funds to build expensive road systems and within a short time to have to introduce traffic calming measures. This problem should be examined.

I welcome the national car test, which is proving very successful. The new driving theory test is also a good idea. I ask the Minister of State to consider the introduction of a requirement that all applicants for a provisional driving licence produce a certificate from a reputable school of motoring to show that they have spent a number of hours learning to drive. This would ensure that safer people are driving on our roads.

This Bill is long overdue. I am glad it has reached Second Stage and I hope it will have a speedy passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas. It is not an exaggeration to say that this Bill is a matter of life and death but I appreciate that constitutional issues, including the issue of the jurisdiction of the courts, had to be clarified, having regard to the provisions of the Bill and that this delayed things.

The level of deaths and injuries on our roads as a result of traffic accidents is shocking. The impact of tragic accidents on the families of victims if often enormous and unbearable. Every so often television pictures convey vividly to us the scale of the carnage in these accidents. Such pictures frighten us to the core, yet after we pause and reflect for a short time on the horrors of such accidents we gradually forget about them and get on with our lives and our business as usual. Given the way we act and behave, it is apparent that society accepts a certain level of death on our roads. Government must act on this and that is what this Bill is all about.

I welcome the publication and implementation of the Government's national road safety strategy, The Road to Safety – Government Strategy for Road Safety, 1998-2002, and I acknowledge the progress made under this strategy. Between 1997 and 2000 the level of road deaths has fallen by 12.1% and the number of serious injuries has decreased by almost 25% during the same period. However, we cannot be complacent. Statistics of fatalities represent real people who were going about their normal everyday business when suddenly their lives were brought to a tragic end.

The Celtic tiger has had a major impact on road safety. More cars on the road, more trucks, traffic jams, increased stress and faster and more powerful cars have resulted in bad driving, road rage and poor road manners. Drivers' behaviour has deteriorated in recent years and I am convinced the penalty points system will help to redress this major problem.

The policy of the director of traffic for Dublin deliberately to reduce road space to facilitate non-existing public transport has not helped and has resulted in more road rage and aggressive driving. His policy is flawed and I believe that the motorist and public transport can both be facilitated at the same time in partnership.

Sadly, the Irish experience is that drivers will not change their behaviour unless they are compelled to do so by tough laws and effective law enforcement. We will not change our behaviour voluntarily. The wearing of seat belts had to be made compulsory before people finally belted up; drink driving was only effectively tackled recently at Christmas time by intense Garda activity during the festive season; illegal parking in cities was stopped only when effective clamping was introduced and speed cameras were introduced to prevent speeding on our roads once and for all. The list goes on. The penalty points system is needed, therefore, to change behaviour further. In this regard, the experience of other countries is good. It has resulted in the improvement of driver behaviour and in a decrease in road deaths.

Dublin Corporation is to be complimented on the production of its road safety plan. It is effec tive in many ways. As part of the plan, area-wide traffic calming schemes are under way. The corporation has also introduced the safer route to school programme, it implements the policies of the Dublin Road Safety Council and the traffic education school in Clontarf and the city warden service have been provided. All these are good things, but there are some flaws in the policy of Dublin Corporation. I question the safety design of some of the quality bus corridors and cycle routes which are being constructed in Dublin city.

Debate adjourned.
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