Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 November 2019
292. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the findings of the research of the Road Safety Authority on speeding, the free speed study survey report 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48266/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe report to which the Deputy refers is available on the Road Safety Authority's website. It can be found at https://www.rsa.ie/Documents/Road%20Safety/Speed/RRD_Res_20190204_FreeSpeedSurvey2018FINAL.pdf.
I would particularly draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that there has been a slight decline in speeding on urban roads and a similar increase on rural roads. There have also been increases in the proportion of drivers speeding on roads with an 80km/h and 100km/h limit.
Speeding represents the single most dangerous factor on our roads. It makes collisions more likely, and it makes death or serious injury more likely when collisions happen. To take just one figure, the fact that 50% of people are speeding on 80km/h roads is utterly unacceptable. They are putting themselves, their passengers, and other road users at risk.
Dealing with speeding is a matter of education, appropriate penalties, and proper enforcement. In this context I am proposing to introduce a graduated speeding system as part of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. This will be aimed at targeting the most dangerous speeding offences, providing a deterrent against speeding, and emphasising the message that speeding cannot be tolerated on our roads.
