Call for renewed reform of traffic system

A re-examination of the road traffic penalty points system was demanded tonight just 19 months after its implementation.

Progressive Democrats Transport spokesman Tom Morrissey said the entire system, especially where speed checks are taking place, must be examined.

Transport Minister Seamus Brennan said, earlier this week, that speed checks should be carried out where most accidents tend to happen.

He told the Dáil: “To be truly effective, the Garda must start targeting the places where accidents are likely to happen.

“Increasingly, one will see that the force will do this, especially as we roll out the speed cameras.”

Mr Brennan confirmed the full technical system to support the complete roll out of the penalty points is not yet in place.

“In overall terms the introduction of penalty points has had a very positive effect on road safety and I am confident the full roll out of the system will further enhance that effect,” he said earlier.

The Oireachtas Committee on Transport met last month to discuss the penalty system in the face of a rising number of road deaths.

Gardaí told the meeting they could not reach their their speed check target without outside help in operating the speed cameras and administration.

Mr Morrissey said that Gardaí carrying out the bulk of speed checks in 40 mile an hour areas is undermining the effectiveness of the penalty points.

Statistics from the National Roads Authority for 2002 showed a third of all road deaths happened in built up areas with low speed limits.

The National Safety Council said Garda figures show they have detected around 41% of speeders in 30mph areas and 34% in 40mph areas.

So far this year 129 people have died on our roads compared with 113 this time last year.