Taoiseach backs move to remove responsibility for testing and licensing from RSA
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.
The Taoiseach has backed proposals to remove the responsibility for testing and licensing from the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
Simon Harris said that options presented within the Government’s review of the state agency are due to come before Cabinet in the autumn, while saying that Ireland is currently “in a very bad place” on road fatalities.
“We do need an agency dedicated wholly and exclusively to road safety and advocacy and that things around the NCT and licencing could perhaps be done somewhere else," Mr Harris said.
Mr Harris said it is his gut that tells him that this is the way to go, saying that the role of the RSA has “ballooned” in recent years.
“That’s my gut, we do need an agency dedicated wholly and exclusively to road safety and advocacy and that actually things around NCTs and the likes could perhaps be done somewhere else.”
He was speaking after a teenager was killed in Co Kildare on Tuesday evening, becoming the 116th person to die on Irish roads so far this year.
The review is examining whether it is better for the RSA to have a sharper focus on road safety and move the operational activities, including licencing, testing and vehicle inspections, elsewhere.
Transport Minister Eamon Ryan, in an interview with the last week, said that as a result of the review there would likely be “some form of separation” out of the RSA’s different responsibilities.
While the Taoiseach has backed reform, he said that the RSA’s creation was a “major moment of success” which saw a huge improvement in terms of the number of road deaths.
Mr Harris added that while the government needs to do more to create a safer environment for all road users, each motorist must take personal responsibility.
"I can absolutely assure you, the collective impact of the individual actions of Irish motorists will far outweigh the benefit to safety than any action government can take.
Susan Gray, founder of road safety advocacy group PARC, said that the reform of the RSA “makes sense”, saying that the body is not managing testing, NCT and learner permits well at present.
Meanwhile, Donna Price of the Irish Road Victims’ Association, said that her organisation would welcome a change that saw road safety responsibilities given over to one body.
“At the moment, we have a whole of government road safety strategy, with responsibility for road safety being divided between various government bodies. This leaves no one organisation with ultimate responsibility and control,” Ms Price said.
Ms Price called for a road safety commissioner to be appointed, who would oversee the road safety strategy.
