Alan Kelly
Question:
629. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of vehicles seized by gardaí for road traffic offences that were either crushed or sold off in each of the years of 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [22964/22]
View answer
I have contacted the Garda authorities to provide the information sought by the Deputy, unfortunately this was not to hand in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is received.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 629 of 10 May 2022 where you sought:
“The number of vehicles seized by Gardaí for road traffic offences that were either crushed or sold off in each of the years of 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form.”
As you will recall, I sought the information you requested from the Garda authorities and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand.
As you will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the recording of traffic offences, collisions and seizures of vehicles. As Minister for Justice, I have no direct role in these matters.
The Road Traffic Act provides for the detention, removal, storage and subsequent release or disposal of a mechanically propelled vehicle. A member of An Garda Síochána may detain a vehicle which is in use in a public place in the following circumstances;
- The person driving the vehicle refuses or fails to produce there and then a driving licence or learner permit;
- The vehicle is uninsured under section 56(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1961, or the Garda is of the opinion that the vehicle in the State is being used uninsured;
- The Garda is of the opinion that the excise duty on the vehicle, if registered in the State, has not been paid for 2 months or more prior to its use;
- The vehicle is, or a member of the Garda Síochána is of the opinion that the vehicle is being so used in contravention of section 18 (1) of the Principal Act;
- The vehicle is, or a member of the Garda Síochána is of the opinion that the vehicle is, being so used in contravention of Regulation 19 (1) of the European Communities (vehicle Testing) Regulation 2004 (S.I. No 771 of 2004); or
- In the case of a vehicle registered in another Member State, the vehicle is, or a member of the Garda Síochána is of the opinion that it is, being so used without proof of passing a roadworthiness test is accordance with Council Directive 96/96/EC of 20th December 1996 which for the time being in orce in respect of the vehicle.
The table appended below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of incidents of vehicles detained under Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1994; and the number of vehicles associated with the incident, for the years 2020, 2021 and up to 9 May 2022.
Please note that it is not possible to provide data on the number of vehicles that were either crushed or sold off as a central record does not exist and it would require an inordinate expenditure of Garda time and resources to collate the requested data.
I hope that this information is of assistance.
Appendix
The number of incidents of vehicles detained under Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1994; and the number of vehicles associated with the incident.
|
Year Reported
|
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) Incidents
|
*Associated Vehicles
|
|
2020
|
29,819
|
29,886
|
|
2021
|
23,721
|
23,775
|
|
2022*
|
8,052
|
8,067
|
|
Grand Total
|
61,592
|
61,728
|
* Associated vehicles are the vehicles linked to the incident – in this case, a small number of incidents had two (or more) vehicles associated with it. Incidents up to and including 9 May 2022.
I am advised that figures were collated based on data from PULSE as of 1:30am on the 10 May, 2022. They are operational and may be liable to change.
