John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

Everyone who has contributed has expressed the view that the penalty points system has been largely successful. When the system was introduced there was a noticeable change in attitudes among drivers. Drivers slowed down and changed their patterns of driving. In the intervening months there has been a change because there is not the necessary level of enforcement. In his opening remarks, the Minister referred to the reduction in the number of fatalities on our roads. That is misleading in the sense that in the past three months there has been a considerable increase in fatalities. There has been a 25% increase in the first three months of the year as compared to the first three months of last year. That is disheartening.

Like Senator MacSharry I express reservations at the frequent use of resources by the Garda on straight stretches of road throughout the country while accident black spots are not manned as frequently as they should be. That is a matter that needs to be addressed. Last week the Joint Committee on Transport was informed that the Garda needs to meet quotas in this area. More emphasis should be put on black spots rather than on easy targets and safer stretches of roads.

A problem that has arisen in my area relates to the speed limit system.

There are currently 30 mph and 40 mph limits miles outside villages on national primary and other routes. In the review of the speed limits I urge the Minister and the Department to consider bringing the speed limits around villages and towns closer to those used in urban areas. At present perfectly safe stretches of road well away from villages and towns are subject to low speed limits and that is a matter that could be improved.

On a number of occasions the Government has promised the introduction of a Garda traffic corps but it has not happened yet. There seems to be a conflict between the Minister for Transport and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in this area. I urge that this be rectified as soon as possible. There is certainly a need for a dedicated traffic corps. Notification of penalty points incurred is not sent to the motorist for quite a period of time after the offence has occurred and that process should be expedited as a matter of priority.

The driving test system is a pet interest of mine. Senator Quinn and others have outlined the delays which exist in the system. The Minister is aware of the long delays for appointments, running to over a year in many parts of the country. This is unsatisfactory. It would not take a great deal of resources or manpower to significantly reduce the waiting lists for driving tests.

My opinion of driving instructors is based on personal experience. I passed my driving test four years ago. I took lessons from a person in Kilkenny who should not even be allowed drive in a field, never mind instructing people. I changed to a different instructor and passed the test. There needs to be a crackdown on people calling themselves driving instructors. That may not be the correct word to use but I suggest a register be established for those who call themselves driving instructors. It is my understanding that under the present system, a driving instructor does not need to have a full licence in order to be an instructor but I am not sure if that information is correct. If that is the case, it is not satisfactory. The Minister of State, Deputy McDaid, promised last June that a register of instructors would be set up in the near future but that has not yet happened. It has been mentioned by the Minister in his speech and I hope it will happen as soon as possible. The same standards of driving instruction should apply throughout the country.

The driving test has not been reformed for over 20 years and it is safe to say that many aspects of the test are not now as relevant as they were 20 years ago. Many aspects of driving are not tested and should be. It is beyond belief that the most dangerous manoeuvre in driving, overtaking, is not tested. The present driving test still includes the procedure for reversing around a junction which I understand may be an illegal manoeuvre. That should be rectified.

In a previous debate on motor issues and motor safety, Senator O'Toole spoke of the provision of facilities for people to learn to drive. It is easy for me to speak about learning to drive in south Kilkenny which has miles of open road. It is possible to drive many miles with low levels of traffic. I wonder where anyone living in an urban area such as the middle of Dublin learns to drive.

Local authorities have land banks which are held for different purposes such as housing. It would be a good idea if local authorities were encouraged in some way to make land available for the purpose of learner drivers getting behind the wheel of a car for the first time. The public road is not necessarily a safe place for learner drivers. The driving test does not test driving on motorways and dual carriageways in most parts of the country and that is an aspect that should be covered in any reform of the driving test system.

I fully endorse the remarks of Senator MacSharry and others who expressed the view that there should be North-South co-operation on the issue of penalty points. Anyone with a driving licence from the Republic who is caught breaking the speed limit in Northern Ireland should incur penalty points in the Republic and the reverse should also apply. I endorse also the views of Senator Bradford who spoke about road signage. Many roads throughout the country, particularly back roads, are badly signed. Many junctions have no markings to indicate the right of way. I ask the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to examine this matter.

In Australia at times of the year which are regarded as dangerous for driving, such as bank holiday weekends, the penalty points are increased and points are doubled for certain offences. I suggest the Department of Transport examine this when improving and upgrading the existing system.