asked the Minister for Justice the number of prosecutions brought, to the nearest ascertainable date, under section 53 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961 for dangerous driving causing death or serious bodily harm; the cost or estimated cost of such proceedings, including District Court and Circuit Court hearings; and the number of convictions obtained as a result of the proceedings.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dangerous Driving Prosecutions.
67.
The total number of prosecutions up to the most recent date for which figures are available, 30th September, 1963, for dangerous driving causing death or serious bodily harm is 455. By 31st December, 1963, convictions had been recorded in 38 of these cases and 43 cases had not been disposed of.
The provision of even an estimate of the cost of these proceedings, including court hearings would, I fear, be extremely difficult, if not impossible. The judges concerned, the court staffs and Gardaí, handle these cases as part of their normal duties and it would not be possible to estimate what portion of salaries and expenses should be regarded as arising from these particular cases. The compilation of the cost of witnesses' expenses would involve an amount of work far greater than would be justified.