Written answers

Thursday, 12 October 2006

5:00 pm

Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of heavy goods vehicles inspections performed in 2005 at his Department's instigated checkpoints; the number of defects or driver standards items detected; the broad nature of defects; the number of prosecutions which resulted; and the number of successful outcomes for authorities. [32468/06]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Since 13 September 2006 as a consequence of the Road Safety Authority (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 responsibility for vehicle standards and the enforcement of driver hours, tachograph and licensing regulations has passed to the Road Safety Authority.

During 2005, Transport Officers of my Department inspected 1388 heavy goods and large passenger vehicles at road-side checks for the purposes of the enforcement of driver hours, tachograph and licensing regulations. These inspections revealed 4120 infringements. The infringements detected related to breaches of the driving times, breaks and rest period rules.

A prosecution in respect of any of these infringements may be initiated any time within two years of the date of the commission of the alleged offence. To date 181 prosecutions have been initiated in respect of these infringements, some of which involve multiple offences. It is too early to determine at this stage the total number of prosecutions which will be taken in respect of the infringements detected at road-side checks in 2005.

In relation to the enforcement of vehicle standards legislation, my Department (henceforth the Road Safety Authority) does not specifically instigate checkpoint inspections for that purpose. Enforcement of road traffic law and the prosecution of alleged offences are matters for the Garda Síochána.

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