Written answers

Wednesday, 25 October 2006

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Road Traffic Accidents

9:00 am

Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 157: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the functions of An Garda Síochána when called to a road traffic accident; and if, where there is evidence at the scene of the accident that a breach of the law had occurred for example careless or dangerous driving and one car on the wrong side of the road, there is a duty on the part of the Gardaí at the scene to investigate such matters further. [34721/06]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that collisions vary widely in nature and degree of seriousness and the number of personnel who attend and the action taken will vary accordingly.

The duties of Garda personnel at the scene of collisions include rendering assistance to injured persons, and, if necessary, to procure medical and spiritual aid and arrange for their removal to hospital. Duties also include preserving the scene, that is, preventing interference with vehicles, debris, tracks, marks, etc. until properly noted, reducing traffic obstruction as soon as possible, when necessary arranging for the temporary diversion of traffic and noting and collecting all available evidence at the scene.

Collisions resulting in material damage will usually only be investigated where an offence is disclosed, a State owned vehicle is involved or the requirements of section 106 of the Road Traffic Acts 1961-2006 have not been compiled with, ie. there has been failure to remain at the scene of a collision.

I am also informed that the circumstances surrounding any loss of life as a result of a road traffic collision are thoroughly investigated by An Garda Síochána in accordance with the instructions set out in the Garda Code. The District Officer (Superintendent) for the area where a fatal collision occurs is responsible for the investigation. S/he ensures sufficient and appropriate personnel are assigned to the investigation and that all aspects of the investigation are thoroughly carried out. All events preceding the collision, including the actions and activities of any driver, passenger or pedestrian, as appropriate are fully enquired into.

Where necessary, full use is made of local and national media for appeals for information from any person who may have witnessed the collision, or have information relevant to it.

Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 158: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, where a patrolling Garda car is close to the scene of a road traffic accident but is not from the Garda district in which the accident site is located, the patrolling Gardaí are prevented by a provision or regulation from attending at the scene and taking the necessary details; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34722/06]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is no provision or regulation preventing a member of An Garda Síochána from investigating traffic collisions in a Garda District other than their own. However, while a patrol car may be close to the scene of a traffic collision, the crew of that patrol car may be attending to another call or incident, and may not be in a position to attend immediately to the traffic collision.

I am further informed that in the Dublin Metropolitan Region calls are allocated through the Computer Aided Dispatch System (CADS) in order of priority.

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