Michael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)

It may well be. We agree that the 30 km/h speed limit is unnecessary and is doing nothing for road safety. Analysis of the accidents occurring within the Dublin city area shows that they are limited in number. If we are serious about increasing safety from speeding, there are other roads we should be looking at.

I offer my support for the Road Traffic Bill. It provides for a reduction in the blood alcohol limit for drivers and revises associated penalties, including driver disqualification, while providing for mandatory alcohol testing of drivers involved in road traffic collisions. It clarifies the minimum disqualification period that must be served before a driver may apply to the courts for the restoration of his or her licence following the imposition of a disqualification order, and it provides powers to assist the Garda in forming an opinion of whether the driver is under the influence of an intoxicant - that is, alcohol or drugs - and to carry out preliminary impairment tests. It consolidates and restates the provisions of the Road Traffic Acts on driving while intoxicated and provides for amendments to certain fixed charge and penalty point matters. It will improve certain provisions with regard to driving licences and provide for a number of minor amendments to the Road Traffic Acts. These measures will have an impact on all drivers, which includes nearly every one of us.

I mo thuairimse tá na hathraithe seo riachtanach. Má tá muid chun méid áirithe teorannacha a chur leis an mBille seo ar mhaithe le sabháilteacht ar ár mbóithre, tá mé go huile agus go hiomlán ag tacú leis an Bhille seo agus tá súil agam go ndéanfaidh an Teach seo mar an gcéanna. These changes are absolutely necessary. If we are to impose limitations while strengthening the rule of law on our roads in order to minimise the pointless, tragic and continuing loss of life around the country, then I am overwhelmingly in favour of this Bill and I trust this House will be also.

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