Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I thank Senators O'Toole and John Paul Phelan for sharing their time with me. I thank Senator Quinn for bringing this motion before the House. I would like to be associated with the general welcome extended to the introduction of the penalty points system which has been a great success so far.

The Minister for Transport should consider the introduction of a jaywalking law. As one drives around Dublin, one is more conscious of people on the footpath than of the cars on the road, as one is constantly worried that pedestrians will walk out in front of one's car. Small things cause accidents. This is an example of an area that could be improved by a new law.

I agree with Senator John Paul Phelan's remarks in relation to the low cost safety scheme on national routes. The green and white bollards that have appeared throughout the country have been a great success, especially on dark nights as one turns right on a national primary or secondary road. It is difficult to see the exact location of the junction in such circumstances. The works I have mentioned, particularly the pairs of bollards, have been a great success and should be extended.

Senators have mentioned the subject of courtesy on the roads on previous occasions. The penalty points system has introduced an increased level of courtesy on the part of drivers. When one drives in England, one notices that drivers are much more courteous than their Irish counterparts – they will let one turn onto the road ahead of them or change lanes in front of them. I can see that similar behaviour is becoming more popular here, as drivers slow down and allow more time for journeys. The introduction of the penalty points system has brought about the changes to which I refer. People do not seem to be in as much of a hurry as was once the case.

Five or six years ago there were about 27 cars per 100 people in this country, compared to an EU average of about 56. Although I have not seen any statistics, I imagine that the Irish rate has increased to about 45 or 50 and that we have moved up the EU league table in this regard.

While the penalty points system has worked to great effect, other measures are necessary. I suggest that we should introduce a speed limit of 50 mph on rural country roads. I do not think a local authority has the right to introduce such a limit throughout its jurisdiction but the law should be amended to allow it to do so in some circumstances. Similarly, the speed limit should be increased in certain places. The 60 mph speed limit on the Mullingar bypass is ridiculous and could be changed to 70 mph.