Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is an important point. The slow driver is as much a hazard as a really fast driver, although some people may dispute that. This phenomenon has caused accidents. I take on board what the Minister says about its being difficult to fine someone for this, but it is not impossible. It is not impracticable to have a minimum driving speed. It happens in other countries on particular types of road. It is not impossible and there is an international precedent for it.

I came up with the best suggestion I could think of but if the Minister agrees that it is dangerous for someone to drive well below the speed limit, with a build-up of 20 cars or vehicles behind them, particularly at night, would he give some thought to how that might be addressed? The current catch-all provision of not showing sufficient regard for other drivers is not sufficient. We need something specific. There will be people who, for whatever reason, may not be able, or confident enough, to drive that fast. I am only asking for a system whereby somebody in that position would take the first opportunity to allow the build-up of traffic to pass. Some professional drivers, such as lorry drivers who drive below the speed limit because they have heavy loads, tend to pull in to allow traffic to pass. One sees that happening from time to time.

Will the Minister consider this point? It is a hazard. There is a failure to address it sometimes because it might fly in the face of tackling speeding. We should, however, recognise that it is hazardous and that the practicality of dealing with it should be passed on either to officials in the Department or to the Road Safety Authority, RSA, to come up with a sensible suggestion to address the problem. That is the only point I am canvassing.