John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to say a few words on the Bill. It provides for a number of legislative changes that can only improve the quality of driving and safety on the roads. In recent years we have witnessed a significantly different attitude to road safety. There are many reasons for this, including tougher legislation, penalty points and zero tolerance of drink-driving. The increase in the number of motorways has created a safer driving environment for citizens.

We must welcome the reduction in the number of deaths on the roads in recent years. While the number has increased in the past year, the RSA and the Department have generally done a great job in highlighting the dangers of speeding, drink driving and carelessness on the roads. Mr. Noel Brett will certainly be a major loss to the RSA. Both he and Mr. Gay Byrne highlighted regularly the importance of safe driving. Perhaps the Minister might be announcing a replacement for Mr. Brett in the near future. I met Mr. Brett on many occasions and always found him to be very helpful, supportive and on the button when running the RSA as it should be run.

Deaths on the road certainly cause great devastation among families. I had a 20 year old daughter killed in a car accident and know very well the trauma and continuing sadness that it brings during the years. There have been many accidents in recent years that have caused major problems for families. Accidents increase the pressure on accident and emergency units and the health service incurs a cost. Anything that can be done to address this through this legislation can only be welcomed.

One of the most important provisions in the Bill is the introduction of the novice category of driver. This measure will apply to all drivers during their first two years as motorists. The Minister is saying that if one accrues six penalty points, one will lose one's licence. The Minister might explain why he is moving from the current maximum, 12, to six. A number of younger people have raised this issue with me. They believe the six point cut-off is rather stark. Perhaps the number should be increased. Will the Minister comment on this?

The Bill introduces a number of offences attracting penalty points, including the offence of failure to display N and L plates. This is a major problem. Many motorists do not display L plates. Gardaí will tell one that, because of the pressure they are under, they cannot spend all their time trying to find out whether a driver should have an L plate. The work the Minister is now doing may encourage people to display their L plates.

We all welcome the measures on intoxicating liquor driving offences. This will empower members of An Garda to require people in charge of a car in a public place to undertake intoxication impairment testing. I am sure we have all heard anecdotal evidence and some very strong evidence of people who caused accidents but who were not injured at all jumping into the ambulance in order that gardaí could not test them for being intoxicated. This had to be dealt with and it is welcome that the Minister is doing so.

The Bill for the first time allows the taking, subject to medical approval, of a specimen of blood from an incapacitated or unconscious person following a road traffic collision involving death or injury. Who will actually make a final decision on the taking of the specimen? Will it be the doctor or a garda?

We fully support these provisions and believe they will have a positive impact on road safety. We also believe there is serious concern. I do not know whether Mr. Gay Byrne is correct in contending the system is not being operated in the way it should be. There has been a reduction in the number of gardaí, certainly in my part of the country, and this is leading to a reduction in the number of apprehensions. I was apprehended recently for speeding. Gardaí are certainly on the Arklow bypass and doing a good job in that area.

We published a Bill in 2013 to crack down on hit-and-run drivers by introducing tougher penalties and extending the powers of arrest of the Garda. Under the proposed Fianna Fáil Bill, it would be an indictable offence for anyone to leave the scene of an accident resulting in injury. The offence would carry a punishment of up to ten years in prison or a fine of up to €5,000. Obviously, one would lose one's driving licence. The Bill would significantly increase the Garda's powers of arrest in any hit-and-run incident and extend the time available in which to test offenders for drugs and alcohol from three hours to 24. In recent weeks there have been two, if not three, hit-and-run incidents. This issue needs to be dealt with. Perhaps the Minister might consider amendments on Committee Stage on that issue.

Let me raise the issue of the operation of speed vans and their placement. Many people point out to me that many speed vans are operating in 30 kph zones or on motorways. In the opinion of many, these are the least likely locations of accidents. I was at a meeting recently at which many people were claiming that instead of the vans being used to slow down traffic, they were used as part of a money-making scheme.

I ask the Minister to comment on this. Certainly, on the Arklow bypass and within the 30km per hour zones in our towns, where drivers are an easy catch, vans are found on a regular basis, but on more dangerous roads, including back roads, side roads and main roads, the vans are not in place.

I do not know if anything can be done under this legislation to deal with the issue of illegal parking at schools. At the opening and closing of schools, particularly in urban areas, one will see cars abandoned or parked illegally when hundreds of children are entering and leaving the school. I have suggested to the local authority in Wexford that we should, where possible, have drop-off zones at least 100 metres away from school gates, particularly in larger schools, because of the danger of accidents. No parking should be allowed within the vicinity of school gates. I am not sure whether the Minister can introduce regulations to deal with this issue under this legislation. However, it is certainly an area of concern. Many small accidents and incidents are happening as it is, but I believe it is only a matter of time before a major accident occurs.

I welcome the Bill and hope it will further increase protections for people on the roads. It will also deal with some of the anomalies as a result previous Bills. I hope the Minister will be in a position to respond to some of the issues I have raised.

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