AA: Fall in road offence detections worrying

A leading motoring organisation has claimed the reduction in the number of motorists caught for road traffic offences in the first half of 2012 is a “significantly worrying development”.

The AA has expressed concern at an 8.1% drop in penalty point offences in the first six months of 2012, compared with the corresponding period last year.

The findings were compiled by the Irish Examiner based on data from the Department of Transport.

Separately, Garda figures showed drink-driving detections falling by 11.5% in the January-May period.

AA spokesman Conor Faughnan said the success of a penalty points system and improved road safety was based on constant enforcement. The reduced levels of detection for major offences such as speeding and drink-driving, has raised fears they are linked to a drop in staffing levels in the Garda Traffic Corps, which have dropped from 1,250 several years ago to 885 now.

Mr Faughnan said the fall in detection rates may be partially attributable to improved driving behaviour and some slight reduction in traffic levels. “However, I don’t think they are likely to offer a full explanation and the situation warrants further analysis.” He expressed concern about the reduced size of the traffic corps.

Mr Faughnan, who is due to appear before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport today to discuss a proposed review of the penalty points system, said recent successes in reducing the annual number of road fatalities could be quickly reversed in the absence of high levels of enforcement.

Road fatalities have been falling since a high of 396 in 2005. Last year the figure fell below 200 for the first time when 186 traffic deaths were provisionally recorded.