Road Traffic Offences

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2022

Tuesday, 10 May 2022

Questions (255)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

255. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 110 of 4 May 2022, if he plans to conduct his own research to bring him up-to-date on the figures for the prosecutions of motorists in each of the past five years for failure to make progress and drive at the appropriate speed limit for the road and their vehicle under the rules of the road; if he will request the Road Safety Authority to carry out a public awareness campaign on the hazards of failing to make progress under the rules of the road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23444/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

As indicated in the response to which the Deputy refers, prosecutions in the instances indicated are a matter for the Gardaí and the Director of Public Prosecutions.  Given this, it would be a questionable use of resources for one branch of Government to commission research on matters within the expert legal competence of another.

On the matter of education, the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for running road safety information and public awareness campaigns.  The Authority conducts many campaigns on different issues.  The choice of issues to focus on is based on the RSA’s knowledge and experience of road safety in general and factors of particular concern at given times.