Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will also not use up my full five minute allocation because I am aware that other Senators wish to contribute. I welcome the Minister and I also welcome the Bill. As Leas-Chathaoirleach, I have been in the Chair for the majority of this debate and most of the points made by Senators and many of the aspects of the Bill highlighted by the Minister are both laudable and very acceptable.

We must crack down hard on those who use mobile telephones - whether to make calls or to text - while driving. I have racked up approximately 420,000 kilometres on my old Skoda car to date and I probably travel more than most Senators as a result of where I live. I am of the view that two out of every three people with mobile telephones - even those who drive trucks and tractors - have no scruples when it comes to using them when driving on motorways and other roads. Such behaviour is extremely dangerous. Texting while driving is pure madness. Anyone who is caught texting while driving should be given an automatic three-month suspension. Given that 90% of people have mobile telephones, it should be compulsory for new cars to be fitted with in-built Bluetooth or similar systems in order that there should be no necessity for drivers to hold their telephones to their ears while driving.

Another bugbear of mine, with which the Bill does not deal, relates to people driving with no lights on. Not so long ago I was driving between Ballydehob and Bantry on a misty, wet evening. Visibility was poor but I encountered four cars coming in the opposite direction that were travelling at approximately 50 mph and did not have their lights on. In Scandinavian countries people are obliged to use their lights more often than is the case here. People here should be encouraged to drive with their lights on, particularly on country roads. In my view, driving with one's lights on should become compulsory.

I admire those who walk, jog or cycle in order to maintain their fitness or for other reasons. However, many of these individuals do not wear high-visibility vests. I was driving home recently and I came across a person I know who was dressed all in black. The individual in question was finishing a five or ten mile jog and it was almost dark. I came around a bend in the road and had another car been coming in the opposite direction, I am not sure whether I would have been able to avoid the person. Thankfully, there was no other traffic on the road. If, however, I had been dazzled by the lights on an oncoming car, I might not have seen the individual in question. People, young and old, who are out walking, jogging or cycling should be encouraged to wear high-visibility vests and armbands. I recently came across a group of cyclists traversing a mountainous road. I admire them for what they were doing but with the exception of two individuals, all of them were wearing dark purple cycling gear. People should be encouraged to wear bright clothing when out walking, jogging or cycling and those driving should be obliged to use their lights rather than just flashing them when they come across approaching traffic.

My final point relates to Garda checkpoints. I accept that it is not possible to put such checkpoints at every crossroads. I was returning from Listowel at approximately 10.30 a.m. last Saturday when I encountered a very obvious checkpoint on the Tralee bypass. When I passed the checkpoint, it was in the forefront of my mind to watch my speed for the remainder of my journey back to west Cork. Visible Garda checkpoints actually remind people that they may be stopped from time to time. They also encourage individuals not to drink and drive and to reduce speed. I welcome the putting in place of checkpoints but I accept that most people do not want to come across them. Being stopped by a garda and having one's tax, insurance, NCT discs, etc., checked is a minor inconvenience. I know it is impossible to have them everywhere but I would encourage the putting in place of Garda checkpoints more often on motorways and other major roads.

I accept that I have made a number of nitty-gritty observations but, overall, I welcome the Bill. With the exception of some minor amendments we may put forward on Committee Stage, those of us on this side of the House generally support the legislation. The Bill will add to the armoury of tools available to the DPP and the Garda for use against those who abuse the rules relating to our very busy roads.