Peadar Tóibín: “Speed is the big killer on our roads, yet the vast majority of those detected get off. The system needs to be fixed to save lives.”
The Aontú leader says a study showing a seven fold increase in speeding prosecutions in one area – with two-thirds not proceeding – indicates a major problem with traffic enforcement.
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has said a study showing the majority of speeding prosecutions in recent years did not go ahead shows the system is not working.
The Meath West TD said: “No enforcement means no change in behaviour. The Minister for Justice needs to address this.
“The reasons given include people saying they did not receive the Fixed Charge Penalty Notice (PCPN) in the post. Others proved they were not the driver.
“Someone was driving and speeding. And if FCPNs are not being received, then they should be sent by registered post.
“Whatever shortfalls there are in ensuring there is a penalty for speeding, they need to be addressed urgently.
“Road deaths in Ireland are on the rise. This makes us an outlier in Europe, where numbers are coming down. Speed is known as the major killer.
“We can’t have a system where resources are put into detection, but they’re failing at this rate in the courts. It’s an abnormally high figure.
“If so many are getting lost in the post, then there’s a means to ensure they’re received. If there’s an administration problem, fix it. This is what must be done if we are serious about saving lives.”
A study by the Journal showed this happened in half of cases nationwide; and a focus study on Trim District Court showed while prosecutions there increased by 630%, two-thirds were withdrawn, dismissed or struck out.
