Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 February 2013
157. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of road checkpoints undertaken by an Garda Síochána for the years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7691/13]
View answerI am informed by the Garda authorities that it is not possible to provide a figure for the overall number of roadside checkpoints carried out by Gardaí. Gardaí who are on duty would frequently have occasion to engage and interact with various road users and such interactions may not necessitate further action or be recorded.
All members of An Garda Síochána are tasked with the enforcement of relevant legislation, including the Road Traffic and Road Transport Acts and this policy will continue. As part of this enforcement policy members of An Garda Síochána carry out planned, unplanned and 'ad hoc' checkpoints as required.
Insofar as mandatory alcohol checkpoints ('MAT' Checkpoints) are concerned the number of checkpoints for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012 are as follows:
|
Year |
MAT Checkpoints |
|
2010 |
56,532 |
|
2011 |
69,996 |
|
2012 |
71,073 |
Information provided by An Garda Síochána is as at 8 January, 2013 and is provisional, operational and subject to change.
An Garda Síochána continually conducts awareness campaigns and enforcement initiatives to reduce road fatalities and serious injuries on Irish roads, to increase driver awareness, to prevent and detect breaches of Road Traffic and Transport legislation and to promote an improved compliance culture amongst the road users through the comprehensive enforcement of all facets of Road Traffic legislation.
