asked the Minister for Local Government whether the design of traffic lights are approved by his Department; whether his Department make grants towards the cost of their purchase or improvement; whether his Department keep under review improvements and developments in traffic lights; whether he is aware that in most countries abroad traffic lights are fitted with controls to stop the flow of all vehicular traffic from time to time to enable pedestrians to cross the roadway in safety; if he will make grants to local authorities to meet the costs of fitting and otherwise encourage them to fit traffic lights with controls to stop all vehicular traffic from time to time to permit pedestrians to safely cross roadways; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Traffic Lights.
The provision of traffic light signals is a function of the road authority concerned acting at the request, or with the consent, of the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána. Their design is a matter for the road authority. My Department keeps itself informed of developments in the design of such signals and other traffic control devices. I understand that the design of these installations in this as in other countries enables them to be adjusted to provide for the periodic stopping of vehicular traffic. No extra expenditure would be involved in making such adjustments and the question of grants does not therefore arise. It would be a matter completely within the competence of the road authority to regulate signals in this way. I am forwarding the Deputy, for his information, copy of a circular letter issued by my Department last year on the subject of traffic management, with particular regard to pedestrian facilities. At the moment, I am awaiting a special report from An Foras Forbartha on pedestrian crossing facilities, which I hope will be of assistance to local authorities in exercising their functions in this regard.
Most countries provide traffic signals which allow for complete stoppage of vehicular traffic to enable pedestrians to cross. Will the Minister ensure that our traffic lights are brought up to the level of those in other countries because it has become a particularly hazardous operation for pedestrians to cross streets?
All the traffic lights in this country can be adjusted to provide for the stoppage of vehicular traffic. It involves only a minor adjustment to the traffic lights erected throughout the country which would be a matter for the local authority concerned.
It should be. Is the Minister encouraging them on the lines I suggest? I hope so.
Question No. 50.