Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Every community has its own tragic story to tell about road accidents and more sadly, road deaths. No more so than last year which saw a 20% increase in fatalities, and a dreadful 12 months in my county, Tipperary. Yet the Government saw fit to cut the road maintenance and road safety budget by €150 million. Does the Government see this opportunity here today to whitewash that and disguise that fact? Is it using it to disguise the fact that the N24 project, which aims to make that notorious road fit for purpose, has been subject to regular funding uncertainty, causing the council and the community to appeal to the Minister cap in hand? Is the Government deflecting from the cut in Garda numbers? We have a serious problem on our roads and the preventive measures are inadequate. We all know that some motorists cannot get where they are going fast enough, irrespective of the road or weather conditions and they put others in danger.

In my office in Cashel, I frequently hear Garda or ambulance sirens shortly after there has been moderate or heavy rainfall. However, GoSafe vans are missing from locations where people are flagrantly flouting the rules of the road. We need a physical deterrent in locations like these instead of in areas that GoSafe operators regard as easy options.

This brings me to the review of default speed limits. I accept that in certain areas this is needed, but in others it is not. For those motorists who just do not care and who break the 80 km/h limit regardless, no designated limit will change their habits without the physical deterrent of MIT checkpoints, speed vans and so on. Where reducing limits may not be appropriate, road maintenance and safety measures are needed.

I hope the Bill's changes to the penalty points anomaly might act as a deterrent by penalising people for all offences they commit, not just the most severe, but it is one of many actions needed. Across County Tipperary, I have become aware of motorists having tyres and wheels written off because of the state of the roads. This is a danger but can be addressed if the resources are targeted where they are needed.

I welcome the introduction of mandatory roadside drug testing at the scene of a crash where injury has occurred. However, again this is an action taken after the crash or tragedy has occurred. This Bill is incomplete. The Department must engage with the Opposition to develop a plan that tackles the challenges on our roads in real time. We need a suite of measures, reinforced with commitments to fund and to act in the areas of physical deterrents, Garda numbers, road safety and maintenance measures. Ad hocBills like this are not sufficient. Motorists deserve a more comprehensive plan.

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