Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 May 2012
15 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Defence his plans to increase training on military vehicle safety in view of the high level of compensation paid out by his Department arising from accidents involving Defence Force vehicles. [24530/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraVehicle safety training, as with all military training is reviewed and updated on a regular basis. The current Defence Forces Driver Training Policy Instruction was first issued in 2006 and last updated in 2011. It is a comprehensive instruction covering all aspects of driver training. The aim of this instruction is to apply a safe, suitable and flexible system of driver training which suits the Defence Forces operational needs while maintaining and improving current high driving standards.
I am advised that the issue of safety is constantly addressed across the range of driver training syllabi currently in use within the Defence Forces. Modularised sections within each syllabus contain health and safety briefs together with the necessary safety equipment to be used specific to the vehicle in question. Reference documentation relating to health and safety is also listed on each syllabus and discussed during lectures and in practical training sessions.
The Defence Forces has introduced re-currency training for all driver instructors and driver testers and such training is conducted annually in the Transport School, Defence Forces Training Centre (DFTC). The training brings attendees up to date with best practice and latest information on driver training, specialist vehicles, etc., together with information on legislation and licensing within the Defence Forces and in the civilian domain. By way of example, a recent re-currency seminar in the DFTC received presentations from the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána. Driver testers and instructors are required to undergo such training biennially.
While the focus to date has been on the roll-out of re-currency training for driver testers and instructors, it is also intended that similar training for all drivers will be conducted in each Brigade/Formation. As with testers and instructors, individual drivers will also be required to undergo such training biennially.
On the issue of vehicle safety, a Vehicle Technical Monitoring System (VTMS) was installed on the Defence Forces Fleet of eighty MOWAG armoured personnel carriers in May 2011.This system is expected to help improve driver behaviour including a reduction in vehicle speed. The system can provide accurate real-time data in the event of a road traffic accident. In the event of a road traffic accident involving a vehicle fitted with the VTMS, all driver behaviour prior to the accident can be reviewed. This can help to establish an accurate and true chain of events and provides the Defence Forces with a strong base of information in the investigation of any such accident.
