Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 November 2019
14. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which the new regulation on the law of dangerous overtaking of cyclists will be enforced; the data being recorded on the matter to inform policy reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47909/19]
View answerThe Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) (Amendment) Regulations 2019 (Statutory Instrument Number 495 of 2019) builds on the previous legislation in relation to dangerous overtaking. These regulations divide the offence of dangerous overtaking to make it a separate offence to dangerously overtake a pedal cyclist. This will specifically target those drivers who put cyclists at risk.
Since 12 November 2019, the offence of dangerously overtaking a pedal cyclist carries a fixed charge of €120 and 3 penalty points. The increase in the fixed charge to €120, which is significantly higher than most fixed charge amounts, is contained in the recently signed Road Traffic Act 2010 (Part 3) (Fixed Charge Offences) (Amendment) Regulations 2019 (Statutory Instrument Number 548 of 2019).
The aim of the new legislation is to improve the behaviour of those drivers of mechanically propelled vehicles who put cyclists at risk when overtaking. In addition, the associated Road Safety Authority's campaign aimed at educating road users and in particular, motorists, has and will continue to heighten public awareness of the potential risks involved when overtaking cyclists.
Enforcement of the new dangerous overtaking of a pedal cyclist legislation, as with the existing legislation regarding dangerous overtaking and indeed all Road Traffic legislation, is a matter for An Garda Siochána. It is my understanding that data in relation to the enforcement of this new offence will be recorded on the Garda PULSE system and that statistical information will be eventually be available to assist in any future review of this particular legislation.
As is the case with all Road Traffic legislation, which will now include this new offence, my officials keep the legislation under frequent review as priorities and the necessary resources allow.
