McDowell: Road death toll not Govt's fault

The Government must not be blamed for the mounting death toll on the roads, Minister for Justice Michael McDowell warned today.

Mr McDowell said speed and drinking caused most collisions and these factors were the fault of drivers.

Eight people died during the Easter Bank holiday, including four Polish nationals who collided head-on with a truck near Bandon, Co Cork, on Saturday.

The minister today told reporters at a Garda graduaion ceremony in Templemore: “I would tell drivers that it is not the gardaí that keep you safe in your car. If you are involved in an accident, it’s not the Garda’s fault. It’s mainly due to speed and drinking.

“Let’s not say that this is the state’s fault. Let’s remember that driver safety is primarily an issue for drivers.”

Mr McDowell also warned foreign nationals that they must familiarise themselves with the rules of the road in Ireland.

He stressed that uninsured cars will be impounded.

He said: “It is obviously a cause of concern if anybody is ignoring the rules of the road. I don’t want to dump on one community over another but everybody has to familiarise themselves with the rules of the road.

“Nobody is exempt from the operation of our laws. If you come to Ireland to work you must find out what our laws are and you must obey them.”

The minister said the dedicated Traffic Corps was getting increasing resources and the Road Safety Authority would be formally established soon.

A minute’s silence was requested by Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy and observed at today’s ceremony for student garda Martin Coen who died in a freak traffic accident near Kells in Co Meath last Saturday morning.

Garda Coen, whose vehicle was struck by stray horses, was due to graduate from the Garda Training College in July.

In a speech to graduates, Mr McDowell said 240 extra gardaí will join the Traffic Corps in 2006.

Numbers in the unit will reach 800 by the end of the year.

He confirmed that 315 motorists were arrested for drink-driving over the Easter bank holiday weekend.

The addition of 31 new penalty-point offences on April 3 had resulted in a total of 3,661 fixed-charge notices issued to drivers in the first nine days.

Speeding accounted for 1,738 notices and non-wearing of seatbelts for 382. A further 1,541 were for other new offences.

He told graduates: “Too many gardaí have called to too may homes to deliver the heartbreaking news of an untimely death. My hope is that through responsible and fair enforcement of the road traffic laws, those calls can become fewer.”

Speaking on the Garda’s role in reducing the death toll on the roads, he added: “This is not a game of numbers or statistical returns. It is a deadly serious responsibility, which I hope all of you will take on board as dedicated members of the force."