Vol. 566 No. 3
156 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the findings of the review of Ireland's road safety strategy that motorists speeding or drink driving know they are very unlikely to be caught; if it is intended to act on the recommendation in the report for a much higher level of police enforcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12768/03]
Both the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda Síochána are represented on the high level group on road safety chaired by the Department of Transport which commissioned the review referred to by the Deputy. The group is currently in the process of formulating a revised strategy on road safety which will take account of the issues raised in the report.
However, provisional figures indicate that over 300,000 speeding offences were detected by the Garda Síochána in 2002 and in 2003 over 40,000 such offences have been detected up to 31 March. This level of detections results from a substantial commitment of resources which is reaping benefits in terms of the number of lives saved and serious injuries prevented since the introduction of the penalty points system.
I accept that we still have a problem with drivers who see fit to risk their own lives, and those of others, by driving at excessive speeds or engaging in drinking and driving. However, the statistics available to me strongly indicate that the increased level of enforcement by the Garda Síochána over recent years is having a positive effect on road casualties.
