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Road Traffic Offences

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 May 2012

Tuesday, 15 May 2012

Ceisteanna (310, 311, 312)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

390 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of learner drivers since 2009 that have received a caution to date for failing to display L plates and or for driving unaccompanied by a qualified driver; the number of learner drivers in the same period that have received several cautions for these offences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24164/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

392 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the recent operation learner driver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24169/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 390 and 392 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána under Operation Learner Driver conducted two specific enforcement operations, in conjunction with the Road Safety Authority and other relevant stakeholders, targeting learner drivers in March and April this year.

The following table provides a combined breakdown of offences detected during these operations (in some cases both offences were committed by the same driver):

Number of Learner Drivers Driving Unaccompanied and orWithout L-plates Detected under Operation Learner Driver

Number of Learner Drivers Checked

Unaccompanied

No L-plates

Caution

Proceedings commenced*

2,200

946

660

949

279

*This figure is the number of proceedings commenced to 10 May 2012 and is provisional, operational and liable to change.

I am further informed that statistical information relating to the overall number of cautions issued to learner permit drivers for failing to display L-plates and for driving unaccompanied by a qualified driver since 2009 is not readily available and would necessitate the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources to compile.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

391 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of learner drivers that have been summoned to court for failing to display L plates and or being unaccompanied by a qualified driver since 2009; the number of learner drivers that have been convicted in court of this offence; the average fine imposed on learner drivers by the court after being convicted of this offence; if any drivers have received the maximum €1,000 fine in court for this offence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24165/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

The Deputy will be aware that, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service and I have no role in the matter. Section 4(3) of the 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which includes the provision of statistics.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that the information sought by the Deputy is as set out in the table below:

Provisional Learner Driver Failing to Display "L" Plates on a vehicle

Year

Summonsed

Convicted

Average fine

Maximum Fine

2009

2,625

410

€142.37

No

2010

2,966

503

€132.80

No

2011

2,718

634

€133.50

No

Provisional Learner Driver Unaccompanied by a Qualified Driver

Year

Summonsed

Convicted

Average fine

Maximum Fine

2009

2,751

446

€150.38

No

2010

3,447

718

€156.41

No

2011

3,150

854

€149.70

No

Question No. 392 answered with Question No. 390.
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