John Curran
Question:607. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action he plans to take to deal with an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3115/17]
View answerTuesday, 24 January 2017
Questions (607)
Written answers
I am aware of the Road Safety Authority research indicating that there may be as many as 8,000 disqualified drivers on our roads, and that a number of them have been responsible for fatal or major collisions in recent years.
Under new powers provided to the Garda under the Road Traffic Act 2014, the Garda (since June 2015) can now arrest drivers who are detected driving while disqualified. Such drivers, following conviction in court, face a maximum fine of €5,000 and/or six months' imprisonment. The Garda can also detain, remove and store the vehicle used by such a driver under section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1994. Furthermore, non-surrendering of a licence is an offence.
Enforcement of road traffic laws are a matter for An Garda Síochána, and I very much welcome the assurance by An Garda Síochána at a Special meeting of the Ministerial Committee on road safety, which I held on 12th January, that there will be an increase of 10% in the traffic corps during 2017 resulting in more check points and greater enforcement of traffic law and that road safety enforcement is a priority in the Garda Policing Plan for 2017.
During the passage of the Road Traffic Act 2016 through the Houses of the Oireachtas, the Road Safety Authority submitted proposals for "naming and shaming disqualified" drivers. This is considered to be an effective tool in dealing with the issue of drivers continuing to drive following a disqualification. While it was not possible to accommodate the necessary provisions in that Act, I hope to bring proposals on this in the forthcoming Road Safety Authority Bill, which is currently being developed by my Departmental officials.