Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has proposed the implementation of scaling fines to adequately penalize drivers who excessively speed to the Government. In a correspondence to former State transport minister Jack Chambers in May, Harris suggested that a progressive penalty points system could help to curb poor driving habits and dangerous practises on Irish roads.
Reacting to a letter sent by Chambers in April, Harris noted that if the current rate of accidents continues, this year could be the most dangerous in almost 20 years with over 200 potential deaths. Chambers urged all parties involved to concentrate on a robust response to the ongoing crisis on the country’s roads.
Alarming figures from the Garda suggest a steep rise in road deaths. As of Thursday morning, there have already been 101 fatalities this year, an increase of 14 compared to the same period in the previous year. This number tragically climbed when a man in his 70s died in a sole vehicle accident on the Ring of Kerry.
Chambers, in his letter, reiterated the call for more resources for road policing units, asserting that it’s the most effective strategy based on available evidence.
The commissioner expressed his disappointment with ongoing difficulties surrounding access to timely and current data from the National Driver Vehicle File (NDVF) – a complete record of all vehicles, their owners and licensed drivers in Ireland. Harris highlighted that problems with the database were hindering the identification of both banned and unlicensed drivers. Whilst acknowledging that the issue has been addressed with Chambers’ department, a resolution is still awaited.
Harris shared Chambers’ deep-seated concerns over the escalating number of deaths on the roads this year, assuring him that there was no intention to decrease resources in road policing units.
Speaking about potential measures to enhance road safety for motorcyclists, among whom 13 have lost their lives this year, one suggestion put forward was regular technical checks for road suitability. Currently, Ireland is one of the few EU nations that doesn’t mandate testing for motorcycle-worthy conditions. This was expressed by Mr. Chambers.
Chambers was designated the Minister of Finance in the previous month, with his predecessor James Lawless stepping in as the Minister of State for Transport.
The Department of Transport confirmed this week that no additional discussions have taken place between the commissioner and Chambers following the letter written in May. During the reign of the preceding government, Shane Ross, the incumbent minister of transport, had suggested introducing graduated penalties for over-speeding. These proposals were tabled during the preliminary conception of the eventually enacted Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023.
“Despite the comprehensive preparations for the Act, several other pressing legislative subjects were incorporated into the Bill while graduated over-speeding penalties weren’t,” noted a representative from the department. “It remains undetermined whether Minister Lawless will reconsider this suggestion in the future.”
Regarding the NDVF, the department confirmed it has a suitable “technical solution” at its disposal, and the connection to An Garda Síochána would be established as soon as all the necessary administrative measures have been finalised.