Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 November 2005
75 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps that are being taken by the Garda Síochána to address the alarming number of road deaths in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35652/05]
View answerI am informed by the Garda authorities that during the period 1 January to 31 October 2005, there were 26 road traffic fatalities in the Donegal Garda division. There were also 26 road traffic fatalities during the same period in 2004.
In response to recent road traffic fatalities in the Inishowen area, the Garda Commissioner has set up a specialised dedicated traffic unit there. The unit, which is based in Burnfoot, commenced a three month pilot operation in the Donegal division on 20 October 2005. Thereafter it will be reviewed and evaluated to determine its degree of effectiveness. This unit has been established as part of the Garda Síochána's commitment to road safety and is in addition to the traffic units located at Donegal Town and Letterkenny. Currently the Donegal divisional traffic unit comprises three sergeants and 23 gardaí solely dedicated to traffic policing duties. One sergeant and four gardaí are allocated on a temporary basis to the dedicated Inishowen traffic unit.
Each traffic unit is deployed at key locations or hot spots where problems recur, challenging inappropriate driving behaviour and adopts proactive intelligence led traffic policing techniques. The Donegal divisional traffic unit augments the patrolling of the division performed by the core policing units of each of the division's five districts. The divisional traffic unit is committed to continue to work in partnership with all of the groups who have an interest in road safety, including the broader community.
76 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the gardaí test motorists for drugs as well as drink when they are perceived to be driving erratically; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35746/05]
View answerThe Road Traffic Act 1994 provides that a member of the Garda Síochána may, where he or she is of the opinion that a person in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place is under the influence of a drug or drugs to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of that vehicle, require that person to go to a Garda station and further require that person submit to a blood test or to provide a urine sample which will then be subject to analysis by the medical bureau of road safety. This applies to circumstances where a member of the Garda Síochána is dealing with a person whose driving has been erratic. Dependent upon the circumstances, this sample will be analysed for alcohol and-or drugs.
I am informed that the medical bureau of road safety, which is under the aegis of the Department of Transport, is keeping abreast of the development of devices which are being developed for the purpose of carrying out roadside drug testing.
