7 December 2007
From left, Ms.Jackie Maguire, Leitrim County Manager, Mrs Susan Gray (Founder of PARC), Teresa Leonard (Leitrim PARC Branch)
and Jons Civil Engineering Company
and Jons Civil Engineering Company
The traditional "one for the road" to celebrate the opening of a new by-pass yesterday was replaced by a donation to our road safety group PARC. This gesture was made by Leitrim County Council which opted to forego the complementary alcoholic drink for guests at the ceremony to mark the opening of the 84 million Dromod/Roosky by-pass. This new by-pass was officially opened by Dr. Jimmy Devins TD, Minister of State.
We in PARC were absolutely thrilled when we were contacted by Leitrim County Council and invited to the opening ceremony only to be told that the purpose of the invitation was to receive the Council's and the contractor's donations. Apart from assisting the work ofPARC in highlighting road safety issues it also sends out a clear signal that the best way to tackle road safety is by way of a partnership approach involving statutory bodies, private enterprise and the voluntary sector.
Hopefully other local authorites will follow Leitrim County Council's example because we believe that a fantastic new precedent is being set here. Alcohol is associated with the celebration of absolutely everything in our society and here is an opportunity to rethink this practice and for all of us to look at other ways to celebrate events. The council's director of services for infrastructure, John Mc Guinness explained that they decided it was more appropriate to make a financial contribution to a group involved in promoting road safety. They considered that serving drink at this type of occasion where people were arriving in cars was not appropriate so they sought advice from the RSA on what organisation they could support.
Leitrim County Council donated 1,000 and Jon's Civil Engineering Company matched that amount. The by-pass is expected to cut 10 minutes off travel time from Dublin to Sligo.
20th November 2007
Banned drivers are not giving up their licences.
Only one in three drivers on 12 points are surrendering their licence voluntarily as they are suppose to do.
According to information released by the Department of Transport, of the 121 drivers currently on 12 penalty points, just 40 had handed their licence into their local motor tax office as of November 1st, as required.
The remaining 81 drivers had failed to do so, despite receiving a minimum of two letters instructing them to surrender their licence to their local motor tax office within 14 days.
Any driver who accumulates 12 points over a three-year period is required to surrender their licence, and is disqualified for six months.
Every month, the Department compiles a list of drivers who have failed to surrender their licence and sends it to the Garda. Responsibility for ensuring the licence is surrendered then transfers to them. The Department of Transport say that once the disqualified driver has been informed that they have reached 12 penalty points, and failed to surrender their licence, then it is up to the Gardai to enforce the law.
We in PARC believe that it should not be left to the discretion of a driver whether he/she hands over their licence, as many will ignore this requirement.
Someone on 12 points has obviously committed some very serious road traffic offences, and clearly should not be in possession of their licence.
If a Garda stops a motorist at the roadside he will have great difficulty determining if the motorist was disqualified due to the accumulation of 12 penalty points as the points are not held on the licence.
The Department of Transport moved to increase the penalties for not surrendering a driving licence under the Road Traffic Act 2006, which was passed into law in July.
The offence now attracts a fine of up to 1,000 for a first offence. A driver who fails to surrender their licence for a third time in one year can face a fine up to €2,000 and/or a jail term of three months.
Also, at the end of September 2007, some 469,000 drivers had accumulated 557,000 penalty points. However, more than 120,370 drivers could not have their points applied because they do not hold an Irish driving licence. Some 433,000 of the points awarded were for speeding.
Courts are becoming clogged with tens of thousands of penalty point offence cases because drivers are not paying their fines. One of the objectives of penalty point notices was to keep fixed charge cases out of court. This is not working, and thousands of fixed charge cases are coming before the courts. Garda have said that no more than 50 to 60 per cent of drivers are paying their fines. The remainder of these are becoming summonses. In the past 6 months over 88,000 summonses for fixed charge offences were listed in courts throughout Ireland and a further 31,000 due to be sent to the courts by Gardai.
What happens after the 56 days have elapsed with cases coming before the courts where there was no intention on the part of the defendant to defend it? And more to the point there is no driving licence available in court for the licence number to be recorded, and the points issued to the driver.
The onus should be placed on the driver to indicate if he or she wishes to have the case dealt with by the courts, rather than the current situation, where a summons is always issued.
Fixed charge penalty notices were introduced for penalty point offences in April 2006. They are issued to the registered owner of the vehicle in the case of cameras, and to the driver in all other cases. They allow 50 days for the fine to be paid and the penalty points incurred on the driver's licence.
Once this period elapses, all unpaid fines automatically become summons applications.
Less than half of the drivers coming before the courts for fixed charge offences were convicted. Is there a complete fall down in communication between the Garda Pulse system and the agency to which the Gardai have sub-contracted out this work? Drivers are increasingly choosing to come into court because there are so many hurdles to secure a conviction that it is worth the chance.
Some suggestions:
Rather than an unpaid fine becoming a summons, outstanding fines should be collected as part of the next car tax renewal, as is the case in some other jurisdictions. Or unpaid fines should be handed over as a private debt collection agency and that an unpaid fine would incur higher penalty points.
Defendants are asked to bring their driving licence to court so that the licence number can be recorded, and the points issued to the right driver. If a defendant does not hand up the licence, the licence number may not be captured.
Is this why there are only 131 drivers (on record) as having acquired 12 points at present?
What a farce of a system….
PARC is currently looking into the procedure that is being used by other countries.
25th October 2007
PARC Members attended the launch of the New Road Safety Strategy in Government Buildings.
An Taoiseach Mr. Bertie Ahern, the Minister for Transport Mr. Noel Dempsey, and the Minister for Justice Mr. Brian Lenihan, launched Ireland's third Road Safety Strategy. Also present were Mr. Gay Byrne (Chairperson) and Mr. Noel Brett CEO of the Road Safety Authority and Mr. Eddie Rock, Assistant Commissioner.
The primary aim of the road safety strategy 2007- 2012 which has been developed by the road safety authority is to reduce collisions, deaths and injuries on Irish roads by 30%.
It aims to bring Ireland in line with countries that are considered to have the safest roads in the world, countries such as Sweden, Norway and United Kingdom.
PARC members received a copy of the new strategy plan on our arrival and we were relieved to find our issue of compulsory testing at collision scenes included. It reads: Review current legislation for impaired driving, identify best practice internationally and ensure appropriate legislation and protocols to address the testing of road users involved in collisions.
At the launch PARC asked the question "What will the procedure be when a driver is so seriously injured in a collision that a preliminary test cannot be carried out at the scene?". We were assured that a driver would not avoid detection by simply attending hospital. A blood/urine sample will be taken by medical staff on arrival and the only circumstances where a test may not be carried out is when a senior doctor refuses on medical grounds. We were assured that new legislation would be introduced in the 2nd Quarter of 2008.
PARC spoke with Mr. Lenihan afterwards informing him of our various concerns in relation to funding for the enforcement of this new piece of legislation. We also put our concerns in writing and handed it to the Ministers concerned and passed a copy to Mr. Eddie Rock from the traffic corps.
We asked Mr. Lenihan to ensure that Garda have the proper training, equipment and resources available to them to enable them to enforce the law properly when the new legislation is introduced. He informed us that there will be an extra 150 traffic Corps members coming into the force very shortly and that they were very much needed.
This new strategy also allows for the introduction of a new graduated driver licensing system.
"I have issued instructions to all members of An Garda Síochána in the Donegal division on the proper procedure to be adopted in attending serious injury and fatal traffic collision scenes. I can confirm that it is now standard practice for all drivers involved in serious injury and fatal traffic collisions to be breath tested at the scene. A member of Inspector or Superintendent rank now attends the scene of each fatal collision to ensure that proper procedures are followed."
PARC believes that this is a step in the right direction. However, we in PARC believe that it is essential that all drivers involved in any collision attended by Gardai are tested so that there is a fair and just system in operation for all drivers, for all injured parties and for all the grieving families left behind.
October 9th 2007
We in PARC were absolutely thrilled when we were contacted by Leitrim County Council and invited to the opening ceremony only to be told that the purpose of the invitation was to receive the Council's and the contractor's donations. Apart from assisting the work ofPARC in highlighting road safety issues it also sends out a clear signal that the best way to tackle road safety is by way of a partnership approach involving statutory bodies, private enterprise and the voluntary sector.
Hopefully other local authorites will follow Leitrim County Council's example because we believe that a fantastic new precedent is being set here. Alcohol is associated with the celebration of absolutely everything in our society and here is an opportunity to rethink this practice and for all of us to look at other ways to celebrate events. The council's director of services for infrastructure, John Mc Guinness explained that they decided it was more appropriate to make a financial contribution to a group involved in promoting road safety. They considered that serving drink at this type of occasion where people were arriving in cars was not appropriate so they sought advice from the RSA on what organisation they could support.
Leitrim County Council donated 1,000 and Jon's Civil Engineering Company matched that amount. The by-pass is expected to cut 10 minutes off travel time from Dublin to Sligo.
20th November 2007
Banned drivers are not giving up their licences.
Only one in three drivers on 12 points are surrendering their licence voluntarily as they are suppose to do.
According to information released by the Department of Transport, of the 121 drivers currently on 12 penalty points, just 40 had handed their licence into their local motor tax office as of November 1st, as required.
The remaining 81 drivers had failed to do so, despite receiving a minimum of two letters instructing them to surrender their licence to their local motor tax office within 14 days.
Any driver who accumulates 12 points over a three-year period is required to surrender their licence, and is disqualified for six months.
Every month, the Department compiles a list of drivers who have failed to surrender their licence and sends it to the Garda. Responsibility for ensuring the licence is surrendered then transfers to them. The Department of Transport say that once the disqualified driver has been informed that they have reached 12 penalty points, and failed to surrender their licence, then it is up to the Gardai to enforce the law.
We in PARC believe that it should not be left to the discretion of a driver whether he/she hands over their licence, as many will ignore this requirement.
Someone on 12 points has obviously committed some very serious road traffic offences, and clearly should not be in possession of their licence.
If a Garda stops a motorist at the roadside he will have great difficulty determining if the motorist was disqualified due to the accumulation of 12 penalty points as the points are not held on the licence.
The Department of Transport moved to increase the penalties for not surrendering a driving licence under the Road Traffic Act 2006, which was passed into law in July.
The offence now attracts a fine of up to 1,000 for a first offence. A driver who fails to surrender their licence for a third time in one year can face a fine up to €2,000 and/or a jail term of three months.
Also, at the end of September 2007, some 469,000 drivers had accumulated 557,000 penalty points. However, more than 120,370 drivers could not have their points applied because they do not hold an Irish driving licence. Some 433,000 of the points awarded were for speeding.
Courts are becoming clogged with tens of thousands of penalty point offence cases because drivers are not paying their fines. One of the objectives of penalty point notices was to keep fixed charge cases out of court. This is not working, and thousands of fixed charge cases are coming before the courts. Garda have said that no more than 50 to 60 per cent of drivers are paying their fines. The remainder of these are becoming summonses. In the past 6 months over 88,000 summonses for fixed charge offences were listed in courts throughout Ireland and a further 31,000 due to be sent to the courts by Gardai.
What happens after the 56 days have elapsed with cases coming before the courts where there was no intention on the part of the defendant to defend it? And more to the point there is no driving licence available in court for the licence number to be recorded, and the points issued to the driver.
The onus should be placed on the driver to indicate if he or she wishes to have the case dealt with by the courts, rather than the current situation, where a summons is always issued.
Fixed charge penalty notices were introduced for penalty point offences in April 2006. They are issued to the registered owner of the vehicle in the case of cameras, and to the driver in all other cases. They allow 50 days for the fine to be paid and the penalty points incurred on the driver's licence.
Once this period elapses, all unpaid fines automatically become summons applications.
Less than half of the drivers coming before the courts for fixed charge offences were convicted. Is there a complete fall down in communication between the Garda Pulse system and the agency to which the Gardai have sub-contracted out this work? Drivers are increasingly choosing to come into court because there are so many hurdles to secure a conviction that it is worth the chance.
Some suggestions:
Rather than an unpaid fine becoming a summons, outstanding fines should be collected as part of the next car tax renewal, as is the case in some other jurisdictions. Or unpaid fines should be handed over as a private debt collection agency and that an unpaid fine would incur higher penalty points.
Defendants are asked to bring their driving licence to court so that the licence number can be recorded, and the points issued to the right driver. If a defendant does not hand up the licence, the licence number may not be captured.
Is this why there are only 131 drivers (on record) as having acquired 12 points at present?
What a farce of a system….
PARC is currently looking into the procedure that is being used by other countries.
25th October 2007
PARC Members attended the launch of the New Road Safety Strategy in Government Buildings.
An Taoiseach Mr. Bertie Ahern, the Minister for Transport Mr. Noel Dempsey, and the Minister for Justice Mr. Brian Lenihan, launched Ireland's third Road Safety Strategy. Also present were Mr. Gay Byrne (Chairperson) and Mr. Noel Brett CEO of the Road Safety Authority and Mr. Eddie Rock, Assistant Commissioner.
The primary aim of the road safety strategy 2007- 2012 which has been developed by the road safety authority is to reduce collisions, deaths and injuries on Irish roads by 30%.
It aims to bring Ireland in line with countries that are considered to have the safest roads in the world, countries such as Sweden, Norway and United Kingdom.
PARC members received a copy of the new strategy plan on our arrival and we were relieved to find our issue of compulsory testing at collision scenes included. It reads: Review current legislation for impaired driving, identify best practice internationally and ensure appropriate legislation and protocols to address the testing of road users involved in collisions.
At the launch PARC asked the question "What will the procedure be when a driver is so seriously injured in a collision that a preliminary test cannot be carried out at the scene?". We were assured that a driver would not avoid detection by simply attending hospital. A blood/urine sample will be taken by medical staff on arrival and the only circumstances where a test may not be carried out is when a senior doctor refuses on medical grounds. We were assured that new legislation would be introduced in the 2nd Quarter of 2008.
PARC spoke with Mr. Lenihan afterwards informing him of our various concerns in relation to funding for the enforcement of this new piece of legislation. We also put our concerns in writing and handed it to the Ministers concerned and passed a copy to Mr. Eddie Rock from the traffic corps.
We asked Mr. Lenihan to ensure that Garda have the proper training, equipment and resources available to them to enable them to enforce the law properly when the new legislation is introduced. He informed us that there will be an extra 150 traffic Corps members coming into the force very shortly and that they were very much needed.
This new strategy also allows for the introduction of a new graduated driver licensing system.
- Drivers of cars under a Learner permit will be accompanied by and under the supervision of a person who has a full driving licence for a minimum period of 2 years.
- Mandatory tuition will be a requirement for all learner drivers. Part of the tuition will be taken with a professional instructor. Learner drivers will have to hold and complete a logbook detailing their tuition.
- A person may not apply for a driving test for six months after gaining a Learner Permit, so that they have this minimum period of supervised accompanied driving experience when applying.
- Long term learner drivers must take the driving test and may not apply for up to three months for a further learner permit where they do not take a driving test or professional instruction as required.
- The provisional licence is being replaced by a learner permit to emphasise the fact that the holder is learning to drive.
- Existing provisional licences will continue in force until their expiry date after which the holder will be issued with a learner permit.
- A holder of a second provisional licence/learner permit for a car must be accompanied at all times.
- The accompanying driver must in respect of any licence category hold a full licence for the category for at least two years.
- From 1st December 2007 a provisional licence/permit holder must hold the licence/permit for six months before taking a driving test.
- We were shocked when Mr. Dempsey announced that from midnight on 29th October drivers on their 2nd provisional licence must be accompanied at all times or face prosecution. We believe that this would be unfair to drivers who currently have a licence which states that they do not have to be accompanied, to suddenly have to make arrangements overnight to get to their work next week. It would also be impossible for Gardai to enforce this law when there are over 120,000 learner drivers on their 2nd provisional in the republic at present.
We need to get the backlog of people waiting to do their test down first and then address this problem.
"I have issued instructions to all members of An Garda Síochána in the Donegal division on the proper procedure to be adopted in attending serious injury and fatal traffic collision scenes. I can confirm that it is now standard practice for all drivers involved in serious injury and fatal traffic collisions to be breath tested at the scene. A member of Inspector or Superintendent rank now attends the scene of each fatal collision to ensure that proper procedures are followed."
PARC believes that this is a step in the right direction. However, we in PARC believe that it is essential that all drivers involved in any collision attended by Gardai are tested so that there is a fair and just system in operation for all drivers, for all injured parties and for all the grieving families left behind.
October 9th 2007
PARC members attended the Steering to Safety conference in Dundalk yesterday, which concentrated on young male drivers.
We spoke with Mr. Noel Brett CEO of the Road Safety Authority who chaired the conference.
Mr. Brett was very supportive of PARC in our work and in our call for Mandatory testing of all drivers involved in Road Traffic collisions for alcohol and drugs. The RSA are keen to see mandatory testing following collisions both for its enforcement and deterrent effects.
We have also been assured by an official from the Minister for Transport’s office that a date is being arranged for PARC members to meet with the Minister for Transport Mr. Noel Dempsey to discuss our demand for the introduction of driver impairment testing following all collisions either at the scene or at hospital as appropriate.”
We spoke with Mr. Noel Brett CEO of the Road Safety Authority who chaired the conference.
Mr. Brett was very supportive of PARC in our work and in our call for Mandatory testing of all drivers involved in Road Traffic collisions for alcohol and drugs. The RSA are keen to see mandatory testing following collisions both for its enforcement and deterrent effects.
We have also been assured by an official from the Minister for Transport’s office that a date is being arranged for PARC members to meet with the Minister for Transport Mr. Noel Dempsey to discuss our demand for the introduction of driver impairment testing following all collisions either at the scene or at hospital as appropriate.”
"Taoiseach and Cullen at odds on compulsory drink-drive test" - Irish Independent Thursday 24 May 2007 - Treacy Hogan
TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern and Transport Minister Martin Cullen were accused yesterday of being at odds over demands for compulsory drink and drug testing for drivers involved in fatal and serious injury crashes.
The Taoiseach told a group campaigning for the measure that Fianna Fail will bring it in. However, Mr Cullen told the same group that garda discretion in such matters was an important part of drink driving enforcement.
In a letter to the Public Against Road Carnage (PARC) group, the Taoiseach said that taking account of their concerns "Fianna Fail recognise the need to introduce compulsory drink and drug testing for drivers involved in accidents causing injury. If re-elected we will ensure that these changes are implemented without delay," said Mr Ahern.
Mr Cullen, in his letter to PARC, said: "Garda discretion in relation to the use of preliminary roadside tests is an integral and important element of the enforcement provisions relating to the laws applying to drink driving." A Transport spokesman said that the letter from Mr Cullen was merely explaining the legal position. Susan Gray, who started the PARC campaign, said she met with the Taoiseach in Letterkenny last Monday and reminded him of his election pledge.
She accused Mr Cullen of sending them letters which appeared to contradict this.
According to Mrs Gray, who lives in Donegal, the Taoiseach assured her that his replay was the Fianna Fail position and that they realised the neccessity to-introduce drink and drug testing at accidents without delay. They will do so if re-elected, said Mr Ahern.
Mrs Gray said: "We have been lobbying for over a year to have this introduced. We need it now."
"It's important that we highlight what the Taoiseach has promised PARC if re-elected. I asked him to stand for photo and shake hands on it which he did," she added.
"I assured him that this photo and his election pledge will be up on our website after the election if they are re-elected - to remind him of what he promised," added Mrs Gray.
18 May 2007
TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern and Transport Minister Martin Cullen were accused yesterday of being at odds over demands for compulsory drink and drug testing for drivers involved in fatal and serious injury crashes.
The Taoiseach told a group campaigning for the measure that Fianna Fail will bring it in. However, Mr Cullen told the same group that garda discretion in such matters was an important part of drink driving enforcement.
In a letter to the Public Against Road Carnage (PARC) group, the Taoiseach said that taking account of their concerns "Fianna Fail recognise the need to introduce compulsory drink and drug testing for drivers involved in accidents causing injury. If re-elected we will ensure that these changes are implemented without delay," said Mr Ahern.
Mr Cullen, in his letter to PARC, said: "Garda discretion in relation to the use of preliminary roadside tests is an integral and important element of the enforcement provisions relating to the laws applying to drink driving." A Transport spokesman said that the letter from Mr Cullen was merely explaining the legal position. Susan Gray, who started the PARC campaign, said she met with the Taoiseach in Letterkenny last Monday and reminded him of his election pledge.
She accused Mr Cullen of sending them letters which appeared to contradict this.
According to Mrs Gray, who lives in Donegal, the Taoiseach assured her that his replay was the Fianna Fail position and that they realised the neccessity to-introduce drink and drug testing at accidents without delay. They will do so if re-elected, said Mr Ahern.
Mrs Gray said: "We have been lobbying for over a year to have this introduced. We need it now."
"It's important that we highlight what the Taoiseach has promised PARC if re-elected. I asked him to stand for photo and shake hands on it which he did," she added.
"I assured him that this photo and his election pledge will be up on our website after the election if they are re-elected - to remind him of what he promised," added Mrs Gray.
18 May 2007
Enda Kenny gave support to PARC and pledged change of law if elected to Government.
"Compulsory breath testing at accident scenes is already in place in Northern Ireland, yet Fianna Fail and the PDs have repeatedly refused to implement the measure in the Republic. There are grieving families all over the country whose loved ones died in road traffic accidents. In many cases there are doubts about the sobriety of the drivers involved, yet no breath testing was carried out.
"Fine Gael has called repeatedly for detailed information to be collected about accidents. We need detailed information about why accidents happen before we can make a concerted effort to reduce the death toll. Yet the outgoing Government refuses to bring in a common sense measure like compulsory breath testing at accidents."
Fine Gael Road Transport Spokesperson Olivia Mitchell said today (Tuesday) that the Party is committed to introducing compulsory breath testing at accident scenes, after the outgoing Government rejected the proposal.
Deputy Mitchell said she supports efforts by a Donegal-based road safety group, Public Against Road Carnage, to bring in breath testing at accident scenes and condemned the Government's refusal to implement the measure.
14 May 2007
"Compulsory breath testing at accident scenes is already in place in Northern Ireland, yet Fianna Fail and the PDs have repeatedly refused to implement the measure in the Republic. There are grieving families all over the country whose loved ones died in road traffic accidents. In many cases there are doubts about the sobriety of the drivers involved, yet no breath testing was carried out.
"Fine Gael has called repeatedly for detailed information to be collected about accidents. We need detailed information about why accidents happen before we can make a concerted effort to reduce the death toll. Yet the outgoing Government refuses to bring in a common sense measure like compulsory breath testing at accidents."
Fine Gael Road Transport Spokesperson Olivia Mitchell said today (Tuesday) that the Party is committed to introducing compulsory breath testing at accident scenes, after the outgoing Government rejected the proposal.
Deputy Mitchell said she supports efforts by a Donegal-based road safety group, Public Against Road Carnage, to bring in breath testing at accident scenes and condemned the Government's refusal to implement the measure.
14 May 2007
Susan Gray (PARC) receiving cheque from members of the Donegal Emergency service personnel after their fundraising event.
Left to right- Sandra Keeney, Emma Flanagan, Susan Gray, Sonya Black and Severene Cronin.
Left to right- Sandra Keeney, Emma Flanagan, Susan Gray, Sonya Black and Severene Cronin.
Emergency services raise awareness for PARC.The annual '999' emergency services night has this year taken their fundraising efforts to a different level. This event at Voodoo, Letterkenny on Thursday 3rd May brings all personnel from the various emergency services together in order to raise funds for a chosen charity/organisation. This years beneficiary is PARC or Public Against Road Carnage, an organisation set up to help create public awareness of road safety. All proceeds from the '999' Emergency Services night will go towards this group.
Mrs. Susan Gray, Chairperson of PARC is delighted that her group is being backed by the personnel who see, first hand, the effects of drink/drug driving on our roads."These are the people who see the immediate devastation from carnage on our roads and their support is a clear indication that there is widespread disbelief that such testing does not happen automatically after a collision" said Mrs. Gray.
This is all part of PARC's struggle and the Emergency Services of the county are now hoping to make their voice heard in the hope that PARC will succeed in their efforts.
Friday 4 May 2007
Mrs. Susan Gray, Chairperson of PARC is delighted that her group is being backed by the personnel who see, first hand, the effects of drink/drug driving on our roads."These are the people who see the immediate devastation from carnage on our roads and their support is a clear indication that there is widespread disbelief that such testing does not happen automatically after a collision" said Mrs. Gray.
This is all part of PARC's struggle and the Emergency Services of the county are now hoping to make their voice heard in the hope that PARC will succeed in their efforts.
Friday 4 May 2007
Senator Jim Higgins, Susan Gray (PARC) Mr. Stephen Lambert Chairperson Donegal Road Safety Group
and Mr. Eamonn Brown, Donegal Road Safety Officer.
and Mr. Eamonn Brown, Donegal Road Safety Officer.
Mrs.Susan Gray (Donegal branch -PARC) and Mrs.Ann Fogarty (Wicklow branch) met with Donegal Road Safety Working Group in Letterkenny with presentation of PARC's aims and objectives on road safety issues.
Donegal Road Safety Working Group signed the European Road Safety charter in Letterkenny 27th April 2007.
27th June 2007 DRSWG write to Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey expressing their support for the aims of PARC.
Friday 4 May 2007
Adams backs PARC in Buncrana - Derry Journal
Donegal Road Safety Working Group signed the European Road Safety charter in Letterkenny 27th April 2007.
27th June 2007 DRSWG write to Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey expressing their support for the aims of PARC.
Friday 4 May 2007
Adams backs PARC in Buncrana - Derry Journal
Gerry Adams and Padriag MacLouchlainn sign the PARCpetition for Susan Gray during election canvassing in Buncrana Tuesday.
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams pledged his backing for a road safety group founded by an Inishowen woman when he visitied Buncrana this week.
Mr Adams said he was "happy" to support the campaign of Public Against Road Carnage which was set up by Inishowen woman Susan Gray following the death of her husband in a road traffic collision.
PARC is demanding the introduction of mandatory alcohol testing for all motorists involved in road traffic accidents. The group recently secured the backing of Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors for their campaign.
"At this year's Sinn Fein Ard Dheis our party passed a road safety policy document which supports your demand for mandatory testing. Therefore I'm happy to publicly support your campaign", Mr Adams told Mrs Gray.
Speaking to the 'Journal' after meeting with Mr Adams in Buncrana on Tuesday morning, the road safety campaigner said the backing of Sinn Fein was "a great step forward for PARC".
"With the help of Sinn Fein we will be able to work for a better Ireland. We aim to work with the Northern Ireland Government towards an all-Ireland policy between the Republic and the North so - that no matter where you are on this island - if you commit an offence you can't get away with it by simply crossing the border.
"We'd like to thank Mr Adams for supporting our campaign and feel confident that we will achieve our aims of having safer roads and fewer fatalities by introducing proper legislation and enforcement when the new Government takes over."
However, Mrs Gray said that she can see "no acceptable reason" why mandatory testing for alcohol and drugs after an accident cannot be introduced immediately, adding that it was "established practice in most other countries. She noted that 202 people have lost their lives on Donegal's roads since 1998.
"Over 40,000 members of the public have now taken the time to support this essential change. Mandatory testing if introduced would act as a major weapon to help bring down this high death toll. We cannot keep tip-toeing around this subject while about 400 of our people are massacred every year" she added.
April 2007
The founder of Public Against Road Carnage (PARC) has welcomed the backing of senior Gardai for the campaign.
Susan Gray told inishowennews.com she was delighted the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) had supported its call for the introduction of mandatory testing for every driver involved in a road collision.
"This is a great endorsement of our campaign and we are delighted" said Mrs Gray. "The AGSI also want drivers to be tested for drugs at the scene of all collisions."
The senior officers backed the move at their recent annual conference. PARC founder spoke to AGSI after the motion was passed and congratulated the organisation for its stance.
Story filed 4 April 2007
Gardai call for drug and drink testing at accident scenes - Gardai have called all drivers involved in traffic accidents be automatlcally tested for drink and drugs. They want the mandatory tests to be introduced as a major weapon to help bring down the high death toll on the roads. The move mooted at the weekend at the annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) in Wexford.
ASGI president Paschal Feeney declared: "We cannot continue tip-toeing around this subject while about 400 of our people are massacred every year - far higher than our murder rate."
He said the move should be backed up by a zero tolerance approach, which meant drivers should not be allowed to have any alcohol in their systems when behind the wheel.
He described the carnage as depressing and one of the most intractable problems facing society.
29 March 2007
Mr Adams said he was "happy" to support the campaign of Public Against Road Carnage which was set up by Inishowen woman Susan Gray following the death of her husband in a road traffic collision.
PARC is demanding the introduction of mandatory alcohol testing for all motorists involved in road traffic accidents. The group recently secured the backing of Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors for their campaign.
"At this year's Sinn Fein Ard Dheis our party passed a road safety policy document which supports your demand for mandatory testing. Therefore I'm happy to publicly support your campaign", Mr Adams told Mrs Gray.
Speaking to the 'Journal' after meeting with Mr Adams in Buncrana on Tuesday morning, the road safety campaigner said the backing of Sinn Fein was "a great step forward for PARC".
"With the help of Sinn Fein we will be able to work for a better Ireland. We aim to work with the Northern Ireland Government towards an all-Ireland policy between the Republic and the North so - that no matter where you are on this island - if you commit an offence you can't get away with it by simply crossing the border.
"We'd like to thank Mr Adams for supporting our campaign and feel confident that we will achieve our aims of having safer roads and fewer fatalities by introducing proper legislation and enforcement when the new Government takes over."
However, Mrs Gray said that she can see "no acceptable reason" why mandatory testing for alcohol and drugs after an accident cannot be introduced immediately, adding that it was "established practice in most other countries. She noted that 202 people have lost their lives on Donegal's roads since 1998.
"Over 40,000 members of the public have now taken the time to support this essential change. Mandatory testing if introduced would act as a major weapon to help bring down this high death toll. We cannot keep tip-toeing around this subject while about 400 of our people are massacred every year" she added.
April 2007
The founder of Public Against Road Carnage (PARC) has welcomed the backing of senior Gardai for the campaign.
Susan Gray told inishowennews.com she was delighted the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) had supported its call for the introduction of mandatory testing for every driver involved in a road collision.
"This is a great endorsement of our campaign and we are delighted" said Mrs Gray. "The AGSI also want drivers to be tested for drugs at the scene of all collisions."
The senior officers backed the move at their recent annual conference. PARC founder spoke to AGSI after the motion was passed and congratulated the organisation for its stance.
Story filed 4 April 2007
Gardai call for drug and drink testing at accident scenes - Gardai have called all drivers involved in traffic accidents be automatlcally tested for drink and drugs. They want the mandatory tests to be introduced as a major weapon to help bring down the high death toll on the roads. The move mooted at the weekend at the annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) in Wexford.
ASGI president Paschal Feeney declared: "We cannot continue tip-toeing around this subject while about 400 of our people are massacred every year - far higher than our murder rate."
He said the move should be backed up by a zero tolerance approach, which meant drivers should not be allowed to have any alcohol in their systems when behind the wheel.
He described the carnage as depressing and one of the most intractable problems facing society.
29 March 2007
PARC members met with The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in Inishowen this week. He told us that he was aware that everyone is signing the petition and assured us that he would speak with the Minister for Transport on our issue and revert back personally on the matter.
Susan Gray informed him that all are in total disbelief that it is not already compulsory to test for alcohol at road traffic collisions.
She also informed him that PARC have collected over 40,000 signatures in less than 3 counties. How long are we going to wait until our Government take note of the public outcry for this issue?
23 March 2007
PARC Petition: 20,000 call for mandatory alcohol testing - The Irish Times Friday
Susan Gray informed him that all are in total disbelief that it is not already compulsory to test for alcohol at road traffic collisions.
She also informed him that PARC have collected over 40,000 signatures in less than 3 counties. How long are we going to wait until our Government take note of the public outcry for this issue?
23 March 2007
PARC Petition: 20,000 call for mandatory alcohol testing - The Irish Times Friday
Teresa and Michael Leonard, Susan Gray of PARC, People Against Road Carnage(Leitrim), and MEP Marion Harkin, who handed a 20,000-signature petition to the Department of Transport yesterday demanding alcohol-testing for all road-crash drivers. Photograph Dave Meehan
A second petition signed by 20,000 citizens demanding mandatory alcohol testing of all drivers involved in traffic collisions was delivered to Mr. Martin Cullen's office by PARC's Leitrim branch.
PRESS RELEASE - Public Against Road Carnage (P.A.R.C.)
20,000 more citizens demand mandatory alcohol testing of all drivers involved in traffic collisions
Today Thursday March 22nd a petition signed by 20,000 citizens of the Leitrim branch of PARC was handed to Minister for Transport Martin Cullen T.D. The signatories demanded the introduction of mandatory alcohol testing for all drivers involved in road traffic collisions. In July 2006 a petition from 20,000 people in Donegal was given to Minister Cullen voicing the same demand.
Speaking at today's event Senator Jim Higgins said "over 40,000 people have now taken the time to support this essential change to the practice of enforcement in our country. I can see no acceptable reason why mandatory testing for alcohol following a collision should not be introduced by this Government."
Marion Harkin MEP stated that "in most EU countries this is established practice and it acts as a major incentive to drivers to take personal responsibility for their behaviour on the road. In this country we have a chronic problem with excessive consumption of alcohol." The ETSC (European Transport Safety Council) states that only 4% of Irish drivers have been checked for alcohol over the last three years and only 3% were checked on more than one occasion. Since random breath testing was introduced this figure has gone up but would go up even further if testing at accident scenes was also mandatory. [Read full statement from Marian Harkin here...]
PARC was started up in 2006 in Inishowen, Co.Donegal by Susan Gray. Since then she has featured on Prime Time on RTE television and also on RTE main evening news.
Susan Gray, the founder of PARC, said "we are calling on the Minister to make alcohol testing of all drivers involved in traffic accidents compulsory. There should be no exception for any reason. This is required procedure in Northern Ireland and most EU countries. We deserve the same legislation to save lives. We need change in legislation by this Government to ensure that no driver - having caused injury or death to another - can avoid being tested for alcohol in the future.
7 February 2007
Inish Times - Wednesday 7 February 2007
PRESS RELEASE - Public Against Road Carnage (P.A.R.C.)
20,000 more citizens demand mandatory alcohol testing of all drivers involved in traffic collisions
Today Thursday March 22nd a petition signed by 20,000 citizens of the Leitrim branch of PARC was handed to Minister for Transport Martin Cullen T.D. The signatories demanded the introduction of mandatory alcohol testing for all drivers involved in road traffic collisions. In July 2006 a petition from 20,000 people in Donegal was given to Minister Cullen voicing the same demand.
Speaking at today's event Senator Jim Higgins said "over 40,000 people have now taken the time to support this essential change to the practice of enforcement in our country. I can see no acceptable reason why mandatory testing for alcohol following a collision should not be introduced by this Government."
Marion Harkin MEP stated that "in most EU countries this is established practice and it acts as a major incentive to drivers to take personal responsibility for their behaviour on the road. In this country we have a chronic problem with excessive consumption of alcohol." The ETSC (European Transport Safety Council) states that only 4% of Irish drivers have been checked for alcohol over the last three years and only 3% were checked on more than one occasion. Since random breath testing was introduced this figure has gone up but would go up even further if testing at accident scenes was also mandatory. [Read full statement from Marian Harkin here...]
PARC was started up in 2006 in Inishowen, Co.Donegal by Susan Gray. Since then she has featured on Prime Time on RTE television and also on RTE main evening news.
Susan Gray, the founder of PARC, said "we are calling on the Minister to make alcohol testing of all drivers involved in traffic accidents compulsory. There should be no exception for any reason. This is required procedure in Northern Ireland and most EU countries. We deserve the same legislation to save lives. We need change in legislation by this Government to ensure that no driver - having caused injury or death to another - can avoid being tested for alcohol in the future.
7 February 2007
Inish Times - Wednesday 7 February 2007
Mrs Susan Gray with Pat O'Donnell, Traffic Inspector and Mr Noel Brett CEO of the RSA.Panel speakers included:
Mr Noel Brett, Senator Jim Higgins, MEP Marion Harkin, Inspector Pat O'Donnell, Susan Gray, Sergeant Adrian Taylor (PSNI),
chaired by Ursula Quinn (Driving Kills Campaign).
Mr Noel Brett, Senator Jim Higgins, MEP Marion Harkin, Inspector Pat O'Donnell, Susan Gray, Sergeant Adrian Taylor (PSNI),
chaired by Ursula Quinn (Driving Kills Campaign).
Inishowen group to step up campaign.
An Inishowen-based group has vowed to continue its fight to improve road safety in Ireland.
The pledge was made at a weekend public meeting in Malin organised by Public Against Road Carnage (PARC) organisation.
Around 150 people, many of whom have lost loved ones in road accidents, attended the meeting.
Last year the group delivered a petition containing 20,000 signatures to the Minister for Transport Martin Cullen, calling for mandatory breath testing for all drivers involved in road traffic accidents.
Although PARC was initially based in Inishowen, a number of other branches have since been formed throughout the country. There are now branches in Leitrim, Louth, Cork, Dublin and Wicklow.
Many of those involved in the group travelled to Malin last weekend for the meeting. Issues such as speeding, drink/drug driving, road conditions, the high number of young male fatalities and reform of the driving licensing system were discussed.
Mr Brett highlighted that 368 people were killed on Ireland's roads last year.
"That is the equivalent of a jumbo jet crashing in Ireland every year," he said.
"If a jumbo jet did crash in this country each year there would be serious action taken."
Mrs Gray said PARC members were determined to maintain and increase their campaign for improved road safety. "Our aim is to try to save lives and we will not give up until the roads are as safe as they can be."
"One of the group's main aims is to have breathalysers in all Garda cars. Inspector O'Donnell said "A hard core of drivers continue to ignore appeals to exercise caution on the roads. The message does not seem to be getting through."
At the meeting it emerged that there are only 4 intoxilysers in Donegal Garda stations, Letterkenny, Glenties, Donegal and Buncrana . "There should be intoxilysers in every garda station in the country. This machine gives a more accurate alcohol reading after someone has failed the preliminary breathalyser test at the roadside."
Inspector O'Donnell praised the work of PARC and its founder. "If we had a few more Susans, Donegal would be a lot safer place to live."
4th July 2006
An Inishowen-based group has vowed to continue its fight to improve road safety in Ireland.
The pledge was made at a weekend public meeting in Malin organised by Public Against Road Carnage (PARC) organisation.
Around 150 people, many of whom have lost loved ones in road accidents, attended the meeting.
Last year the group delivered a petition containing 20,000 signatures to the Minister for Transport Martin Cullen, calling for mandatory breath testing for all drivers involved in road traffic accidents.
Although PARC was initially based in Inishowen, a number of other branches have since been formed throughout the country. There are now branches in Leitrim, Louth, Cork, Dublin and Wicklow.
Many of those involved in the group travelled to Malin last weekend for the meeting. Issues such as speeding, drink/drug driving, road conditions, the high number of young male fatalities and reform of the driving licensing system were discussed.
Mr Brett highlighted that 368 people were killed on Ireland's roads last year.
"That is the equivalent of a jumbo jet crashing in Ireland every year," he said.
"If a jumbo jet did crash in this country each year there would be serious action taken."
Mrs Gray said PARC members were determined to maintain and increase their campaign for improved road safety. "Our aim is to try to save lives and we will not give up until the roads are as safe as they can be."
"One of the group's main aims is to have breathalysers in all Garda cars. Inspector O'Donnell said "A hard core of drivers continue to ignore appeals to exercise caution on the roads. The message does not seem to be getting through."
At the meeting it emerged that there are only 4 intoxilysers in Donegal Garda stations, Letterkenny, Glenties, Donegal and Buncrana . "There should be intoxilysers in every garda station in the country. This machine gives a more accurate alcohol reading after someone has failed the preliminary breathalyser test at the roadside."
Inspector O'Donnell praised the work of PARC and its founder. "If we had a few more Susans, Donegal would be a lot safer place to live."
4th July 2006
With the help of Dr. Jerry Cowley T.D. PARC delivered their first petition of 20,000 signatures from Donegal to the Minister for Transport's office- calling for Mandatory testing for alcohol and drugs of all drivers involved in road traffic collisions either at the scene or have a blood/urine alcohol/drug level determined in hospital.
Later at the press conference the Independent T.D.'s called for a change in legislation to ensure that no driver - having caused injury or death to another on our roads can avoid being tested for alcohol and drugs in the future. They stated that it was a disgrace that only the fatalities involved in collisions are automatically tested during their autopsy for drink and drugs but yet the driver responsible for their death may walk away from the scene uninjured and untested! This is unbelievable and totally unacceptable and cannot be allowed to continue
Later at the press conference the Independent T.D.'s called for a change in legislation to ensure that no driver - having caused injury or death to another on our roads can avoid being tested for alcohol and drugs in the future. They stated that it was a disgrace that only the fatalities involved in collisions are automatically tested during their autopsy for drink and drugs but yet the driver responsible for their death may walk away from the scene uninjured and untested! This is unbelievable and totally unacceptable and cannot be allowed to continue
