Road Traffic Offences

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2015

Tuesday, 28 April 2015

Questions (496)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

496. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will acknowledge the possible need to amend section 47 of the Road Traffic Act of 2004, as inserted by section 11, to take account of a person's actual speed when applying fines and penalty points for driving in excess of speed limits; his views on whether, for a fairer and more transparent system, stricter fines and penalty point allocations should apply to a person who breaks speed limits in excess of 20 km/h, in comparison with a person who is 2 km/h to 3 km/h over the speed limit, as one is causing far greater risk to road safety and disregard to the laws than the other; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16712/15]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

One of the main causes of road crashes on Irish roads is excessive and inappropriate speed.  My Department, in conjunction with the Road Safety Authority, An Garda Síochána and other stakeholders, is continuing to examine this area to identify measures that can be taken to bring about future reductions in fatalities and serious injuries.

The main goal of the penalty point system is to make drivers more aware of unsafe driving behaviour and by doing so, improve that behaviour.  Under current legislation, in addition to the imposition of a fine and the allocation of penalty points for speeding, an option exists for An Garda Síochána to prosecute an individual for dangerous driving where their speed is or is likely to be dangerous to the public.  I have no plans in the near future to change the current system in relation to speeding offences, although I will keep the Deputy's suggestion in mind when the penalty point offences are next reviewed.