Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 February 2021
159. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number and details of action plans in the road safety strategy 2013-20 that were not completed by the end of 2020; when he plans to publish the next road safety strategy 2021-30; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7039/21]
View answerFour Actions, 88, 95, 105 and 107, the details of which are below, have not yet been completed from the Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020. There are also 3 extra Actions that were added mid-term which have yet to be completed (Actions 5, 11, and 21).
The Road Safety Authority are working on the 2021 - 2030 Road Safety Strategy which should be published in Quarter Two of this year.
Description of Actions not completed:
Action 88: Review Policy on licensing of road transport operators to assess if own account operators should be included.
Current Position: Initial scoping did not identify this action as a priority, and furthermore this is not required under EU law. The vast majority of EU Member States do not licence "Own Account" operators (i.e. those carrying their own goods and not carrying goods for hire and reward for others). It is important to note that own account operators are of course required to comply with the EU drivers' hours rules (i.e. for goods-carrying vehicles where the permissible mass of the vehicle, including any trailer or semi-trailer, is greater than 3.5 tonnes, and drivers are required to comply with the Driver CPC requirements etc)
Action 95: Legislate for the expansion of RSA Enforcement Officer statutory powers to allow for Driver CPC requirements to be enforced as part of roadside checks
The feasibility of legislating for the RSA requirements in this regard is to be further examined and if deemed necessary, legal advice sought in relation to such. In any event, primary legislation would be necessary to implement this action.
Action 105: Make it compulsory for a breakdown emergency pack including a first aid kit, a high visibility vest, a breakdown triangle and a torch to be carried in all vehicles by end 2014
There are no plans to make a submission to the Minister at this time.
Action 107: Legislate for subject to legal advice, and implement rehabilitation and driving awareness courses as court-based sentencing options for specific offenders
Recommendations by the Road Safety Authority were submitted to DTTAS for consideration by the Minister
Mid Term Review Actions:
Action 5: Extend fixed charge notice system in respect of road transport offences
Work is ongoing on drafting legal provisions in this regard
Action 11: Expand funding to TII to cover anticipated costs for national road minor realignment schemes and pavement renewal of existing national road network in line with the targets set out in the Government Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020
(not achievable - covered by Actions 53 and 61)
Action 21: Seek legal advice in relation to section 8 of the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 to establish if the RSA has the vires to access necessary information and statistics from other statutory agencies relating to road safety
Amending the Road Safety Authority Act is on hold due to Covid, Brexit and the very full legislative programme already in process.
