asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that numbers of prosecutions have been instituted against motorists for failure to stop at "Stop" signs; that, in addition to fines, disqualifications from driving have been imposed following conviction in some such prosecutions; and that it is being alleged that, when two or more motorists approach such a sign in close proximity to each other and stop, each of the succeeding motorists must make a subsequent separate stop after the first has moved off, even though no traffic is approaching; and whether in view of the serious consequences of conviction he will state for the information of motorists the relevant regulation or regulations, the number and date of the statutory instrument containing such regulation or regulations, and where such instrument or other document containing such regulation or regulations can be purchased.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - “Stop” Signs: Prosecutions Against Motorists.
The institution of prosecutions for traffic offences and the imposition of penalties are matters for the Garda Síochána and the courts respectively. I am not aware of the number of such prosecutions, but I am aware that prosecutions for failure to stop at stop-signs have been instituted and that disqualifications from driving have been imposed by the courts in some such cases.
The stop-sign and the stop-line marking on the roadway are prescribed in the Traffic Signs Regulations, 1956, (S.I. No. 284 of 1956) and the General Byelaws for the Control of Traffic, 1937, (Amendment) Byelaws, 1956 (S.I. 316 of 1956) require drivers of vehicles to stop at the stop-line or, where no stop-line is provided, at or near the stop-sign. The Regulations and Bye-laws may be purchased from the Government Publications Sales Office, G.P.O. Arcade, Dublin, or through any bookseller.
While the interpretation of the bye-laws I have mentioned is a matter for the courts, their terms do appear to require a driver to stop at a stop-line, even if he has already stopped on the approach. The Deputy will appreciate that these stop-lines and stop-signs are provided only at very dangerous junctions where, in general, visibility is extremely limited. Traffic conditions on the major road might have changed even in the short time a preceding vehicle had crossed the stop line and, quite apart from the law's requirements, commonsense should guide a driver in stopping if only for the short time necessary to assure himself that the major road is clear.
Does the Minister realise that the average member of the public is very confused as to the state of the law at present? Would he consider making available to the public, in some sort of ready form, a pamphlet showing the difference between the laws as they now stand and as the enactment of the Road Traffic Act, 1960, requires? Furthermore, does he not consider that the public—and solicitors, for that matter—should be given an opportunity of being advised as to the exact state of the law in regard, in particular, to their driving obligations at junctions?
I think the Deputy will appreciate that we are making every endeavour to bring to the notice of the public on every occasion possible the requirements of the law, as we understand it and as we would wish people to observe it, and we shall continue to do that, although it may be possible that there are some members of the public not quite well aware of their obligations and duties at the moment.
"Some" is an understatement.
Would the Minister not consider the publication of the booklet Deputy Flanagan suggested and that the Minister said he would not do?
It was not that I would or would not. My recollection is that until such time as we have got the new traffic laws in operation it would possibly not be in the best interests of all concerned to publish piecemeal a guide to these laws. Rather should we have a comprehensive guide to them which, I hope, we shall have in the not too distant future.
It will not be before its time.