Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to speak to this Bill and would like to concentrate on two measures which will have the effect of reducing the numbers of road deaths and serious injuries as a result of driving under the influence of alcohol. Section 3 refers to the offence of knowingly driving a dangerous and defective vehicle, an offence applicable to the driver and the owner of the vehicle. I warmly welcome this measure. People who have driven vehicles which were not fit for purpose and in a dangerous condition have often offered the defence that they were not the owners of the vehicle. However, the Bill will give the power to the Garda to prosecute the driver as well as the owner of such vehicles. This will help to deter some young drivers from buying vehicles which were only fit for scrappage for sums of money in the region of €100 or less and then taking to the roads, often ending up involved in serious accidents. We have seen evidence of this where the condition of a vehicle resulted in serious injuries to the driver and passengers. Vehicles have been shown to have defective tyres, suspension system, steering and chassis which, if involved in an accident, would literally disintegrate on impact. It is important to get the message out that people must be responsible when they dispose of such vehicles and ensure they are properly scrapped at the designated centres in every county and local authority area.

The measures in the Bill will no longer allow drivers to get away without being prosecuted when their names are not on the vehicle ownership form. As legislators, we must send a warning to parents who have children of 17 and 18 years who desire to purchase a vehicle to ensure the necessary checks are made and that, at a minimum, vehicles have an up-to-date NCT certificate.

Alcohol consumption in Ireland continues to be significant in comparison with other EU countries. For many years this was reflected in the driving habits of the nation and included driving while under the influence. Successive Governments have identified this as a major cause of accidents and because of measures introduced, Ireland has seen a significant fall in the numbers of road deaths and injures. Up to last week, 138 people, unfortunately, had died in road accidents this year. That is down by 13 for the same period last year. The number of collisions has also been reduced. We have seen a steady fall since 2003 which, whether it is a coincidence, is in line with the steady reduction in the blood alcohol level during the years. In 2003 it was estimated that 37% of all road deaths were alcohol-related. That figure was reduced to 31% by 2005.

Two out of three accidents occur between 10 p.m. on a Friday and 8 a.m. on a Monday, which tells its own story. I advocate increased vigilance by the traffic corps of the Garda Síochána between these times. The accidents mostly involve young men. I am glad to state the vast majority of young people believe that if one goes out to drink and party, one should arrange transport as part of one's plan. That is a sea change in attitudes from the 1970s and 1980s. However, the boy racer culture is a source of concern in many areas. If we are to reduce the number of road deaths, measures to tackle speed, dangerous driving and, in many cases, drink and drug driving must be considered by the Government in any future road traffic Bill.

Will the Minister consider further measures to deal with drivers who drive under the influence of drugs? Considerable thought and research must go into tackling this problem. It is estimated that two out of five deaths of 25 to 40 year olds between 2000 and 2007 were drug-related. In Canada one in three road deaths is attributed to drug use. Further study by the Government is warranted. Section 7 deals with testing drivers in hospital. The Bill provides for mandatory testing of a driver involved in a serious traffic collision resulting in death or serious industry. Over the years, victims of drunk drivers have expressed their frustration that the drivers were able to escape convictions because of the inability of gardaí to test for blood-alcohol levels. This has been an anomaly and I welcome this section of the Bill.

I welcome the Bill but I suggest to the Minister that he should take account of the views expressed in devising future measures to enhance road safety.

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