Seanad debates
Wednesday, 5 February 2003
Road Safety: Motion.
How is it that while drivers of small private cars are acutely conscious of the possibility of incurring penalty points, professional truck drivers whose livelihoods depend on it seem to be entirely oblivious to the matter? I do not know what the answer is but perhaps the Minister of State will find out. The statistical evidence from the National Roads Authority is that about 75% of truck drivers exceed the speed limit. The anecdotal evidence, however, gained from much driving on main roads over the past three months is that virtually every truck is in breach of the speed limit with some travelling at 55 or 60 mph. I have been passed on the motorway when travelling at 60 mph by large trucks doing 65 mph. I do not understand why that is. Do truck drivers understand the law – it would astonish me if they did not – or is there some sort of understanding that they will not be prosecuted? I do not see the reason they should be treated differently from anyone else.
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