Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 180: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to deal with so called joy riding and the boy racer culture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21184/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, 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 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 specific operations are conducted to improve the compliance culture among such drivers and reduce the level of death and injuries in that age group. An Garda Síochána is working with other agencies, in particular the Road Safety Authority, in this regard. Specific areas identified as places where young drivers congregate are targeted to prevent breaches of the criminal law and gather intelligence on those involved in this type of criminality. As a result, uniform members of An Garda Síochána, supported by Divisional Traffic Corps personnel, establish checkpoints and enforce in a highly visible manner the provisions of the Road Traffic Acts.

These 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 addition to these intelligence-led operations, all uniform members of An Garda Síochána are tasked with enforcing the relevant legislative provisions. Regular mobile patrols take place and roving checkpoints are conducted in areas where young drivers tend to congregate.

In addition websites are monitored in order 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.

Any changes to road traffic legislation, including the introduction of new penalties, is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Transport.