Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Bill. I thank the Minister and his Department for the work they have done in ensuring that people are safer on our roads. That drivers will be defined as novice drivers during the first two years of their full licences and will need to display N plates are welcome provisions.

Deputy Breen alluded to the fact that 33,000 people had died on our roads since 1959. This is an unacceptable figure, amounting to ten times the number who died during the Troubles. These people are sometimes forgotten. Through the new agencies, the Minister has worked hard to ensure that people are much safer on our roads.

Like everyone, I have driven too fast. I used to have six penalty points on my licence. This ensured that I slowed down, especially when going through towns and villages. Speed cameras and the penalty points system have slowed many people down.

I have found out that, while driving, I can bring up on my dashboard a display of how fast I am going. It is in big writing, so I can see whether I am doing 60 km/h, 59 km/h or 58 km/h. Digital dashboards are effective, although other instruments can also be used. I always used to look at the clock, but I was not able to gauge whether I was doing 60 km/h or 65 km/h. This point is worth highlighting. I found the digital system useful after I decided that I needed to do something about my driving.

I received two points six months ago, but I did not receive notification of them. I understand that the notification was probably sent out, but I did not get it. Eventually, I was notified that I needed to appear in court in Carlow. I went there on a Wednesday, got a lawyer to represent me and spent the entire day in court. Thankfully, that was the end of it, but there must be a better way of notifying people that they have gained two points. The letter did not appear in my office. Had I received it, I would have paid the fine immediately and accepted the two points. I do not know any garda who could have got the points quashed, but even if I did, that would be the last thing that I would do. As politicians, we must obey the law. We are citizens of the State and if I get two points, it is my fault, not anyone else's.

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