Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 9:

In page 17, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following:
“15. (1) A mechanically propelled motor vehicle is required to carry a warning triangle from 1 January 2015. In the event of a breakdown or accident, the warning triangle must be placed in a visible position to the rear of the car.
(2) A mechanically propelled vehicle is required to carry a yellow reflective vest in the front compartment of the car from 1 January 2015. In the event of a car stopping on a motorway or in the event or a breakdown or accident and a person alights from the vehicle, that person is required to wear the reflective vest.
(3) A mechanically propelled vehicle is required to carry a first aid kit to EU standard DIN 13164.
(4) The Minister may make the carrying of extinguishers by mechanically propelled motor vehicles mandatory at a later date.”.

The Minister may remember I discussed this on Second Stage and raised a number of points on road safety. This amendment aims to ensure every vehicle carries a mandatory warning triangle which would be placed on the road if a car breaks down. It would be a simple and concrete contribution to road safety. The car I have had for seven years has a safety triangle and I think my previous car had one as well. It was provided with the car at no cost because it was included in the price of the car. This simple measure would make roads safer, giving motorists some warning of an obstacle ahead.

I mention the heavy snow we had a few years ago and the number of cars abandoned by the side of the road. Many of them were obscured by the weather and a warning triangle would help motorists to avoid a crash. A friend's car broke down on the M50 recently and one realises how dangerous it is with cars flying past a 150 km/h or even faster. One tired driver or a failing light can cause an accident.

It is interesting that a warning triangle is compulsory in many European countries, including France and Germany. My amendment would make a warning triangle a mandatory item from 1 January next at a tiny cost of probably €5 to €10. Many car manufacturers, such as Mercedes-Benz, have been supplying safety triangles with their cars for years as they recognises it as an intrinsic part of the car. It is a very simple safety device.

This amendment aims to improve road safety in the same way by making drivers or passengers more visible in potentially dangerous situations. In some countries, including Spain, France and Belgium, one must wear a reflective vest if one's car breaks down and one must get out of it. It is obviously very dangerous to get out of a car on a motorway and there have been cases of people being run over after their car has broken down. I understand there are plans to get cyclists to wear fluorescent jackets. However, we are allowing people to wander around motorways in the event of a breakdown or accident. Such people can be extremely difficult to see and one often only sees them at the very last minute.

This amendment also requires the Minister to examine the mandatory carrying of fire extinguishers. Many European countries strongly recommend carrying a fire extinguisher in case of engine fire. This is another piece in the road safety jigsaw which could save lives in the case of a crash and a fire in a vehicle.

I do not see any reason for this amendment to be rejected as it is very simple, straightforward and low cost. It is a concrete way to improve road safety in Ireland. I do not believe there would be much opposition if people were legally required to carry a safety triangle, a fluorescent vest and a fire extinguisher in their cars. In fact, I believe there would be widespread support. I urge the Minister to give serious consideration to this amendment.