Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
825. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice her views on the reports that the number of checks for dangerous driving have fallen sharply; and if she plans any particular initiatives to emphasise the need for compliance to reduce road deaths. [47931/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the enforcement of road traffic legislation. As Minister, I have no role in this matter.
I am assured that road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of members of An Garda Síochána, as well as through a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies, in order to make our roads safer for all.
Road safety is a shared responsibility, and it is one which this Government takes very seriously. We have all been shocked by the recent loss of life on our roads, and concerned by the worrying increase in road fatalities this year after many years of progress in making our roads safer.
Earlier this year I allocated an additional €1.2 million to An Gardaí Síochána for mobile safety camera deployments and monitoring hours for the duration of 2023. This additional funding will see GoSafe provide an extra 1,500 hours of monitoring every month until the end of the year, which represents a 20% increase.
As part of Budget 2024, €3.6m additional funding has been allocated for GoSafe speed cameras, continuing the increased level of 9,000 hours a month announced last month through the whole of 2024.
I understand that the visible enforcement of road traffic legislation is an effective deterrent to dangerous behaviour. I am informed by Garda authorities that An Garda Siochána develop plans that are evidence-based and data-led; that represent current trends and statistics provided by the Garda Síochána Analysis Service, the RSA and GoSafe.
Based on their analysis and engagement with stakeholders, the Roads Policing Division of An Garda Síochána has developed detailed operational plans for the coming months which include:
• A significant focus on weekends – when we know a higher proportion of fatalities happen;
• Late night checkpoints, including Mandatory Intoxication Checks (MITs); and
• A focus on locations which account for the most collisions and fatalities.
