Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 6:

In page 16, between lines 28 and 29, to insert the following:
“14. (1) In the event of a motor accident, the driver of a motor propelled vehicle is required to
stop at the scene of an accident and provide assistance.
(2) In the event of a person of a motor propelled vehicle not stopping to provide
assistance to a person in danger they may be punishable with a fine of up to €2,000.”.

This aims to get people thinking about this major part of road safety. Unfortunately these days we cannot always rely on the Good Samaritan to help a person in danger after a road accident. This amendment would get people thinking. There is a good chance that if this amendment, combined with my later amendment that would require drivers to carry first aid kits, were accepted lives could be saved. I understand that in some countries, such as Germany, knowledge of basic first aid and even of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR, is needed before one gets a driving licence.

I understand that in some countries, like Germany, knowledge of basic first aid and even of CPR is needed before a person gets their driving licence. What we need, along with penalty points and fines, is what I would call a change of culture. I believe this amendment would achieve that. In France, it is mandatory to stop at the scene of an accident and to deliver assistance. Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Denmark and Finland are just six of the other countries that have similar legislation. Such a measure could work here in terms of both changing the culture and stopping what we call rubberneckers, who slow down and look at accidents but do not give any assistance. I also believe it would save lives as first aid could mean the difference between life and death. We need to show people that we take the helping of others seriously when it comes to road safety.

Surely we could include such a good samaritan provision in this Bill. The fines mentioned are small but I believe we could use this as a starting point. I hope the Minister will make a solid contribution to road safety by accepting the amendment. There is legislation in the United States on the whole question of the good samaritan. Of course, some people have a concern about stopping to give help at the scene of an accident, not necessarily a road accident, because if they do something wrong, they might be sued for causing more damage. This is where the good samaritan regulations apply in the United States. While I am not fully up to date on this, I believe there is need for a good samaritan provisions in this legislation to ensure that, if a person sees an accident, they are required to stop and help. Hopefully, later on, we can suggest legislation to help with first aid.