Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 June 2016
214. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on implementing a driver awareness course similar to that in the UK which would facilitate the rescinding of penalty points for participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15079/16]
View answerThe Road Safety Strategy 2013 – 2020 includes an action to "legislate for, subject to legal advice, and implement rehabilitation and driving awareness courses as court-based sentencing options for repeat offenders".
The Road Safety Association recently submitted a position paper in relation to this action, and the matter is now under consideration by officials in my Department. I would point out, however, that under the Fixed Charge Notice (FCN) system currently in operation, it is not possible to offer such courses in place of FCNs or penalty points without amending legislation. As there is no provision to bring this about in the current Road Traffic Bill, this will therefore be a longer term project.
