Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There are a couple of issues which need to be looked at in regard to road safety. One is the issue of slow drivers. It is not uncommon to come across somebody driving at 60 km/h or 65 km/h on a 100 km/h stretch with a huge build-up of traffic behind him or her. People try to pass the person which, in itself, can become dangerous. Many people who drive at that speed will pull in once they know there is a build-up of traffic behind them and will allow the traffic to flow while others will continue to hog the middle of the road.

I mentioned this in the House before and was told by a predecessor of the Minister's that within the Road Traffic Acts there is scope for the Garda to prosecute someone for driving without due regard for other road users. That is not specific enough and it is rarely applied. The only time I have seen it applied was when a garda prosecuted the driver of a tractor and was much criticised as a consequence. There should be some specific reference, along the lines-----