Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The problem concerns many of the areas I am talking about, the soft targets. The Minister referred to obeying the rules of the road but in some places there is no sign warning motorists that the speed limit is 50 km/h. Motorists who are dawdling along, perhaps at 58 km/h or 60 km/h in a 50 km/h zone, are caught all of a sudden by a van and are awarded two penalty points and a fine of €80 euro. These are the cases I am talking about. Of course, we all want safe and effective measures at very dangerous bends and on rural roads. However, Griffith Avenue is deserted at 8 p.m. To nab a disabled motorist who is minding his own business and driving at 60 km/h in a 50 km/h zone with no signs is unacceptable. I have asked the council and the Garda about this issue. The Minister can say all he wants and talk about effectiveness but the bottom line is that he is hitting soft targets. I refer to the people who are being hammered regularly. They are innocent, pay their taxes and are law abiding. They are being hammered regularly and now the Minister is going after them again.

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