Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I commend Mr. Jonathan Molony, Mr. Gerry McMahon and the assistant commissioner on their presentations. One of the assistant commissioner's last statements was to the effect that we all have a role to play and that each and every one of us has a responsibility. That is quite true. I commend the efforts of those responsible for reducing the number of deaths on our roads over the last few years and since 2005 in particular. There have been 50 fatalities on our roads to date in 2015, which is decrease of 13 on last year's figures. It is still too high.

Roadside inspections are ongoing and we agree with them fully. The more of them there are, the better. The assistant commissioner said he would provide figures. My question concerns HGVs which were randomly tested at roadside inspections. How many or what percentage did not pass the tests? The issue of the alcolock on new vehicles is to be commended. Is there anything that can be done for existing vehicles? On the question of testing by employers and the costs that would be incurred raising transport prices, my personal view is that if one had a system whereby it was likely that an employee would be tested by his or her employer, it might reduce the possibility of driving. I refer to random tests once a month or every two months. If one had 50 people working, one would test two or three of them and not repeat tests on those people the next month. That would help to improve standards.

My last question is on speed limits and I direct it to the assistant commissioner.

In my honest opinion a person driving at 83 km/h or 84 km/h in an 80 km/h zone, after coming off a motorway when they would have been driving at 120 km/h or in another instance driving into a 40 km/h zone at 42 km/h, is trying to adhere to the speed limits. Is there a discretion or should there be a discretion?