Seanad debates

Thursday, 27 November 2003

Road Traffic Bill 2003: Second and Subsequent Stages.

 

10:30 am

Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

On a serious note, Fine Gael welcomes this measure and will support it. We have not put down any amendments to ensure it is passed speedily.

The Minister said that 30% of all fatal accidents occur between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. Is it productive to have television advertisements showing the disastrous effects of drink driving? They cost large amounts of money but are they effective? Would it not be more effective to have more advertisements about this on the radio? The first thing people do when they get into the car is turn on the radio. The advertisements would be a reminder for them. They could be played every half hour between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. and remind drivers not to drink and drive or outline the disastrous consequences of doing so. It might be more effective.

Unfortunately, when we are in our sitting rooms watching television and see the advertisements showing the disastrous effects of drink driving, we tend to distance ourselves from them and say they do not apply to us. If we heard the advertisements while driving, it might deter us from drink driving.

While the gardaĆ­ have been very successful in apprehending drink drivers, the reality is that this is just the tip of the iceberg. There is a major difficulty in this area. Young drivers are not the main offenders. The problem is middle aged people and upwards who have got away with it for the past 20 years and feel they can do so for the next 20. What steps is the Minister taking in this regard? We are very quick to criticise young people in general, but this is one area where young people are leading. The Minister might indicate later whether he plans to tackle this anomaly in the new year.

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