Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Renua Ireland)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

505. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter, details supplied, regarding penalty points and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3151/16]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy's question relates to the use of Daytime Running Lights (DRL), which is not mandatory in Ireland. DRL involves motorists either using their dipped headlights during the hours of daylight or fitting dedicated daytime running lights in an effort to make vehicles more conspicuous and thereby reducing the number and severity of road traffic collisions.  An increasing number of vehicles have dedicated DRL fitted as standard, and it became mandatory on all new cars entering the national fleet from 2011 onwards in accordance with EC Directive 2008/89/EC.  Since August 2012 new trucks and buses are required to have dedicated DRL.  It is estimated that through the gradual renewal of the national fleet almost all vehicles will be equipped with DRL by 2024. 

The RSA previously undertook a review of the policy options available for the mandatory introduction of DRL and concluded that DRL should not be made obligatory at this moment in time. Experience in other countries, especially Sweden where DRL has been mandatory since 1977, shows that mandatory DRL works best where all vehicles are fitted with dedicated DRL and where there has been intensive promotion and awareness campaigns prior to DRL being made mandatory. In Ireland most vehicles do not yet have dedicated DRL and the RSA analysis has shown that the costs of retrofitting DRL at the current time outweighs the benefits. Based on the RSA's review, I do not intend introducing penalty points for motorists who do not put their headlights on at all times of the day.