Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2017
527. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the implementation of recommendation 105 of the road safety strategy 2013 to 2020; if the recommendation has been implemented; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41548/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAction 105 of the Road Safety Strategy seeks to make it compulsory for a breakdown emergency pack to be carried in all vehicles.
Extensive research has been done by both my Department and the Road Safety Authority on this issue in the past year. We have also sought information from European countries with the safest road safety record in Europe as to whether they obliged their drivers to carry an emergency pack, and what items are contained in that pack. I note that all of the safest countries, except the UK, require drivers to carry a warning triangle, and only Norway requires them to have a high-visibility vest. None of these countries require any further emergency equipment.
There are a number of issues which remain to be resolved before the feasibility of making the carrying of emergency packs mandatory can be decided, including the seeking of legal advice in relation to legislation to underpin the requirement, penalties for not carrying the equipment and enforcement processes.
My officials are currently considering these issues, and I expect to have this Action resolved before the end of the year.
