Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 11 Nov 2003

Vol. 574 No. 1

Written Answers. - Road Traffic Offences.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

424 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons prosecuted for tachograph offences in each quarter of 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 to date; if he has satisfied himself with the detection rate of such offences; his plans to increase roadside checks in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26196/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Transport (Dr. McDaid):

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to persons prosecuted for tachograph offences is set out in the following table:

	2000	2001	2002	2003
1st Qtr	68	24	27	15
2nd Qtr	45	10	36	35
3rd Qtr	27	11	23	28
4th Qtr	23	15	23	16To DateDuring this period a total of 297 convictions were obtained in respect of tachograph offences.

Over the past year my Department has significantly increased the level of roadside checkpoints for enforcement of tachograph regulations. A total of 98 multi-agency checkpoints have been scheduled for 2003 compared to 44 in 2002. It is intended to increase the level of checkpoints further in 2004. I am satisfied that these measures will help to increase the level of detection of offences and promote increased compliance with tachograph rules.