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Road Traffic Offences

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 January 2017

Tuesday, 17 January 2017

Questions (134)

Josepha Madigan

Question:

134. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the measures in place to specifically combat speeding on Irish roads; and if there are plans to install more speed cameras. [41508/16]

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Written answers

I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I am deeply conscious of the serious issue of road safety and mindful of the increase in 2016 of road traffic fatalities. I am also mindful of the traumatic impact of road traffic collisions on those directly affected and their families, as well as the impact of dangerous driving more generally on the quality of life of residents in local communities across the country.

As you are aware, I have no direct role in the enforcement of Road Traffic legislation, which is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner. However, I am informed by the Garda authorities that they conduct a programme of high visibility road safety and enforcement operations, carried out in partnership with other state agencies. Garda operations specifically target road use behaviour known to contribute significantly to collisions, including speeding. By working together with the Road Safety Authority and other agencies, An Garda Síochána will continue to confront dangerous road-user behaviour through public presence, legislative enforcement, education and partnership.

Underpinning this, An Garda Síochána's Modernisation and Renewal Programme (2016-2021) sets out key strategic objectives for Road Policing which will inform and guide An Garda Síochána's Road Policing plans over the next 5 years. Under the Programme, the Commissioner will undertake a number of road safety traffic enforcement initiatives, including expanding the use of technology and increasing checkpoints. One of the focuses of An Garda Síochána is on the most vulnerable road user categories of motor cyclists, pedal cyclists, pedestrians and learner permit holders. Garda operations will specifically target road use behaviour known to contribute significantly to collisions. Speed will continue to be a primary focus of Garda enforcement activities through the deployment of high visibility patrols in conjunction with safety camera vans and the use of hand-held speed detection devices.

This targeted approach to speed enforcement is undertaken in order to significantly reduce the incidence of fatal and serious injuries and improve road safety. To this end, An Garda Síochána, in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly the National Roads Authority), completed an extensive analysis of the collision history on the road network. Sections of road were identified where a significant proportion of collisions occurred whereby speed was deemed the primary contributory factor. Based on this analysis, a list of speed enforcement zones has been developed with the aim of providing information to motorists in order to raise awareness of speeding in these zones.

Since May 2016 there are 1,031 speed enforcement zones nationwide where safety cameras operate. Prior to the introduction of safety cameras, approximately 31% of fatal collisions occurred in these zones. In 2015, this figure had reduced to 14%. This shows a dramatic reduction in terms of risk in these areas and a huge increase in terms of road safety.

The locations of these speed enforcement zones are available on the Garda website www.garda.ie. These speed enforcement zones are continually reviewed in light of ongoing survey data, collision history and local feedback to ensure that enforcement activity is properly targeted.

Road traffic legislation is also enforced as part of the day to day duties of members of An Garda Síochána. Both targeted operations and general methods of enforcement have a valuable role to play in An Garda Síochána's enforcement programme, which targets locations with a view to preventing the commission of offences, detecting errant motorists, changing their behaviour and ultimately reducing death and injuries on our roads.

Road safety is a shared responsibility, one which, as you are aware, the Government take very seriously. Ireland's current Road Safety Strategy (2013 - 2020) aims to place Ireland consistently on the list of safest countries in the EU and beyond. To achieve this, we are continuing to work together in partnership. I attended a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee on Road Safety recently, along with the Road Safety Authority, An Garda Síochána, the Attorney General and other agencies. This Committee oversees the implementation of the Road Safety Strategy and provides a forum for high-level discussion of road safety issues and generally meets twice a year; however, in light of the 2016 increase in road fatalities, the meeting was brought forward to January. The purpose of the meeting was to bring together all stakeholders to see what immediate actions could be taken to reverse the upward trend in road fatalities. During this meeting, An Garda Síochána indicated that there will be an additional 10% increase in the traffic corps during the course of 2017, which should also lead to better outcomes in relation to road traffic enforcement. An Garda Síochána also informed the meeting that it was intended to have a stronger focus on road traffic enforcement in the training provided to new recruits at Templemore.

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