Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 February 2010
263 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Transport the parking regulations under the Road Traffic Acts that specify when vehicles must have parking lights illuminated; and when and where it is permitted for a vehicle to be parked contrary to the direction of traffic. [9090/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Statutory provisions for the use of parking lights is outlined in Articles 20 and 50 of the Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) Regulations, 1963 as amended. (S.I. No. 189 of 1963). Under Section 11 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as amended, it is an offence to contravene these Regulations. The parking of a vehicle contrary to the direction of traffic is not prohibited under the Road Traffic Acts.
264 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Transport the regulations under the Road Traffic Acts that specify when and where it is appropriate to use front facing fog lights and rear facing fog lights; and the technical specifications that apply to fog lights placement on a vehicle, brightness, height and aiming. [9091/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) Regulations 1963 to 2009 provide for the use of lighting on vehicles including the use of front and rear fog lights. Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006), responsibility for vehicle standards including technical specifications for lighting of vehicles is a matter for the Road Safety Authority.
265 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Transport the percentage of fatal road traffic accidents where the drivers of the vehicles involved had a blood alcohol concentration of between 0mg and 50mg, of between 50mg and 80mg, of between 80mg and 100mg, of between 100mg and 200mg and over 200mg for the past year in which statistics are available and the proceeding three years. [9093/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 and the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No 477 of 2006) this is a matter for the Road Safety Authority.
266 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Transport the percentage of fatal road traffic accidents where one or more of the vehicles involved were exceeding the posted speed limit for the last year in which statistics are available and for the preceding three years. [9094/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 and the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No 477 of 2006) this is a matter for the Road Safety Authority.
267 Deputy Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Transport his plans to issue guidance to local authorities regarding the standardisation of limits across all local authorities. [9095/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the metrication of speed limits in 2005 guidance issued to Local Authorities from the then Minister on the setting of special speed limits in accordance with Section 9 of the Road Traffic Act 2004. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide advice and guidance to Local Authorities in relation to the making of special speed limit bye-laws by county and city councils. These Guidelines set out principles to guide local authorities in setting speed limits with the intention of contributing to the establishment of uniform and standard application of appropriate speed limits on a country-wide basis. Revised Guidelines issued to Local Authorities in December 2008. The Road Safety Strategy 2007-2012 sets out two related actions (a) to prepare and publish technical/engineering guidance for the setting of speed limits generally and (b) to audit and report on the appropriateness and consistency of speed limits every two years. Work on these Actions is now in hand and, in concluding that work, regard will be had to Action 30 of the recently published Smarter Travel Plan to "address the twin objectives of road safety and emissions reduction through the enhanced enforcement of appropriate speed limits", as there is clearly scope for a co-ordinated approach.
