Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to new figures from research carried out by a company (details supplied) that fewer than half of motorists are now driving more carefully as a result of the penalty points system; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the absence of any high visible Garda fear-factor enforcement, random breath testing and a proper network of speed cameras means drivers believe they will not be caught for road traffic offences; his plans to address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4784/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I am not aware of the research to which the Deputy refers. The effectiveness of the penalty points system can be judged primarily on the basis of the contribution it has made to road safety since its introduction. In the first two years since the introduction of the system in October 2002, the number of deaths as a result of road collisions fell by 116 by comparison to the previous two years. The number of road deaths unfortunately increased in 2004 compared to 2003 when we experienced the lowest levels in 40 years. It should be borne in mind, however, that the number of road deaths in 2004 is the third lowest level of road deaths since 1998, the first full year of the road safety strategy.

Penalty points now operate in respect of speeding, seat-belt wearing, driving without insurance and careless driving. Since the introduction of the system over 209,000 drivers have incurred penalty points. In overall terms the introduction of penalty points has had a very positive effect on road safety and I am confident that the full roll-out of the system will further enhance that effect.

The intended effect of the penalty points system is to instil greater caution and responsibility in motorists in relation to their driving and to change the driving behaviour of those who repeatedly commit road traffic offences. Indications from the Garda are that, with no reduction in enforcement levels, there has been a significant reduction in speeding detections since the introduction of the penalty point system.

The new road safety strategy 2004-06 outlines a range of issues that it is intended will be pursued over the period in question. In overall terms, measures will focus on the areas of education, enforcement, engineering and legislation and will target the key areas of speeding, driving while intoxicated and seat-belt wearing. The strategy recommends the introduction of random breath testing and a network of privately operated speed cameras. Enforcement of road traffic legislation is a matter for the Garda Síochána, and in this context, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform recently announced plans to create a dedicated traffic corps over the next three years.