Vol. 480 No. 7
46 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to the dangers of speeding lorries on roads and the dangers of driving for excessive hours; if she will introduce regulations or legislation which would accept tachograph evidence for court prosecutions in respect of excessive driving hours and exceeding the speed limit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14936/97]
I am aware of the dangers of excessive driving hours by drivers of heavy goods and passenger vehicles. EU Council Regulations Nos. 3820/85/EEC and 3821/85/EEC and S.I. Nos. 392 and 393 of 1986 deal with excessive driving times by laying down maximum driving hours and minimum rest periods for drivers of such vehicles. Offences against these regulations are prosecuted by transport officers in my Department and by the gardaí.
The issue of speeding vehicles and the question of court evidence in such cases is a matter for the Minister for the Environment and Local Government.
