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Road Safety.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2004

Tuesday, 7 December 2004

Questions (84)

Pat Breen

Question:

98 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport the steps he intends to take to encourage compliance with speed limits by drivers of articulated vehicles, in view of a recent report by the NRA, Free Speeds Urban and Rural and Seat Belt Wearing Rates 2003, which highlighted this as a significant problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32034/04]

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Written answers

The recently published road safety strategy 2004 — 2006 highlights excessive speed as one of the main contributory factors in road collisions. The strategy sets specific targets for reductions in the incidence of speeding and incorporates commitments by the Garda for the achievement of specific levels of enforcement for speeding.

The National Roads Authority, NRA, has published the results of national speed surveys which have been carried out in 1997, 1999, 2002 and 2003. The most recent results relate to the 2003 survey. The 2003 report, which presents data relating to heavy goods vehicles generally, shows that while the incidence of articulated vehicles exceeding speed limits has increased in respect of certain road types and locations, it has reduced in respect of others. A speed limit of 50 miles per hour, mph, applies in respect of all goods vehicles having a design gross weight exceeding 3,500 kilograms, subject to the requirement that such vehicles must comply with lower road speed limits, that is, 30 mph or 40 mph, where these limits apply. Thus, the speed limit of 50 mph represents the maximum speed at which the vehicles in question may be driven. The offence of breaching a speed limit attracts four penalty points on conviction or two penalty points where a fixed charge is paid.

Other regulatory measures that apply or are due to be introduced shortly focus on the speed of goods vehicles. At present, in accordance with the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 1993, which gives effect to Directive 92/6/EEC relating to speed limiters in vehicles, goods vehicles having a design gross vehicle weight over 12,000 kilograms are required to be fitted with speed limiters so that their speed cannot exceed 90 kilometres per hour. This is equivalent to 55.935 miles per hour.

In accordance with Directive 2002/85/EC, the requirement to have speed limiters fitted is being extended to further categories of vehicles. All goods vehicles having a design gross vehicle weight over 3,500 kilograms, which are registered on or after 1 January 2005, will require speed limiters so that their speed cannot exceed 90 kilometres per hour. I expect to be in a position to give effect to the directive's requirements shortly through the making of regulations under the Road Traffic Act 1961. The annual roadworthiness test for vehicles requiring speed limiters includes a check to establish whether such a device is fitted and functioning correctly.

The 1993 regulations provide that it is an offence to use a vehicle not equipped with speed limitation device, an offence to use a vehicle equipped with speed limitation device not complying with specified requirements and that it is an offence to use a vehicle equipped with speed limitation device not sealed in compliance with specified regulations. The offences relating to speed limitation devices will be the subject of fixed charges and penalty points.

The enforcement of road traffic legislation, including speed limits and regulations relating to the fitment and operation of speed limiters, is a matter for the Garda Síochána. The Deputy will be aware that my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and I recently announced the establishment of a dedicated traffic corps which will involve significantly increasing the numbers of gardaí allocated to traffic duties, from approximately 530 now to 1,200 by 2008.

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