Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 623: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the amount of anxiety, frustration and upset that many so called boy racers are inflicting on people who live in small towns and villages in County Galway, and that this nuisance of anti-social behaviour is becoming common place in most small towns and villages; the number of so called boy racers who have been summoned to appear before the Courts in County Galway in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3286/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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One of the strategic goals set out in the Garda Síochána Corporate Strategy 2007-2009 is to significantly reduce the incidence of fatal and serious injuries and to improve road safety. One of the actions identified in the Garda Policing Plan 2008 in support of this goal is targeted intelligence-led operations against offending young drivers. I am informed by the Garda authorities that a number of initiatives to target the activities of young male drivers in the areas referred to have been established. Specific areas identified as places where young drivers congregate are targeted. As a result, uniform members of the Garda, supported by Divisional Traffic Corps personnel, establish checkpoints and enforce in a highly visible manner the provisions of the Road Traffic Acts. The initiatives have resulted in detections being made for a wide range of road traffic offences, including offences relating to dangerous driving, careless driving, no silencer fitted, L plates not displayed, identification plates not conforming with legislation, road tax offences, insurance and driving licence offences, speeding offences, dangerously defective vehicles and modified vehicles. Offences detected are dealt with by way of prosecution, fixed charge notice or, where appropriate, through the Juvenile Diversion Programme. In 2006 and 2007, over 100 offenders were charged before the local district courts. In addition to these intelligence-led operations, all uniform members of the Garda are tasked with enforcing the relevant legislative provisions. Regular mobile patrols and roving checkpoints are established throughout the Galway Garda Division. In addition, websites are monitored to establish where such anti-social activities are taking place with a view to providing an appropriate response. Garda road safety awareness programmes are conducted in schools, third level colleges, factories, workplaces and other facilities, with the aim of educating road users of the obligations on all road users under the Road Traffic Acts and to promote road safety among the target group.