Road Safety Authority likely to lose licencing, driver testing, and NCT functions

Road Safety Authority (RSA) chief executive Sam Waide. Transport Minister Eamon Ryan confirmed that Indecon's review of the body is imminent. Picture: Jason Clarke

A major shake-up of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is likely to see it broken up, with driver and vehicle testing and licencing hived off completely.

A review of the RSA has also considered the option that road safety responsibilities could be removed from the authority entirely, a radical move that has not been ruled out by the Government.

In an interview with the Irish Examiner, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan confirmed the review of RSA is nearing completion and a number of options are on the table — but he said major changes are on the way.

“We had an initial discussion two or three weeks ago and it’s at this stage there’s options rather than a preferred approach,” Mr Ryan said.

RSA chief Sam Waide, junior minister James Lawless, and Assistant Garda Commissioner Paula Hilman launching the road safety campaign urging drivers to slow down and put away their mobile devices ahead of the August holiday weekend. Picture: Jason Clarke 

“I think it’s likely it will see some form of separation out of the licencing, testing, vehicle testing process side and the other aspects of it.”

Indecon, the consultancy firm which is carrying out the review, is expected to issue five separate options to Government, including the stripping of key testing functions.

This would leave the RSA to focus on road safety and advocacy amid growing concerns about the level of deaths on the roads.

On Sunday, a man aged in his 20s was killed following a collision between a van and a lorry in Co Sligo.

The incident occurred shortly after 6am on Sunday, with the driver of the van being pronounced dead at the scene.

So far this year, 114 people have died on Irish roads. This is up by 14 compared to the same time last year.

This concerning trend has prompted widespread criticism of the RSA amid concerns that its role is not being fulfilled. 

Politicians and road safety campaigners are among those who have raised concern that the RSA was failing its core mission, something which was rejected by RSA chairwoman Liz O’Donnell.

The transport minister said the recent rise in road deaths meant that the Government would need to look at “everything” to ensure the country gets back on track.

This would require a combination of education, enforcement and engineering, Mr Ryan said.

Currently, the RSA’s budget of €95m is funded by NCT charges, licence renewals, and driving test fees.

If removed, this would require the Government to find an alternative funding source, likely through direct taxpayer funding.

The draft review has not issued specific recommendations, but instead has provided options to the Government as to how it can change the road safety body.

The final review is likely to be completed by the end of August, with the Government then set to confirm any changes to the RSA by Cabinet decision in September.

Speaking on RTÉ, junior roads minister James Lawless said that he believed the RSA’s remit currently is “too broad”.

Mr Lawless said that he believed the agency itself “needs change”, saying that it may need to go “back to basics”.

He said that it was “reasonably likely” that the RSA would become a smaller organisation focused on the promotion of road safety.

Under questioning in June from the Dáil public accounts committee, RSA chief executive Sam Waide said the body exists to inform policy on transport, ensure vehicles comply with safety requirements, and administer the driver education system.

However, he also said that he is pushing for the authority to change its existing role.

“I advocate the RSA having a role in road safety which may differ from what it is currently,” Mr Waide said.

Over the course of the August holiday weekend, gardaí have been undertaking a major roads policing operation, with 48,291 vehicles being checked for speeding between Saturday and Sunday morning.

The plans to reform the RSA come just weeks after  Mr Lawless mooted introducing driver retaining for drivers caught repeatedly committing offences.

Mr Lawless has also said that a graduated penalty points system should be considered, where points would be awarded based on the severity of the speeding offence.