PARC Road Safety Group's Campaigns
Since 2006 when PARC was founded we have worked with families of victims of road traffic collisions and with all relevant stakeholders in road safety. This has resulted in many positive changes in road traffic legislation and driver behaviour to date.
2006 - 2011
Campaign for Mandatory Testing of all drivers involved in fatal and serious collisions.
Result: Law introduced by the Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar on 1 June 2011 under the Road Traffic Act 2011 .Gardai must conduct a preliminary test at the scene of a RTC where someone has been injured and requires medical attention.
2006 - 2014
Campaign for the testing of unconscious/incapacitated drivers involved in fatal and serious collisions.
Result: Law introduced by Transport Minister Paschal Donohue on 27 Nov 2014 under the Road Traffic Act 2014 It is possible to take a specimen of blood from a driver who is incapacitated following a serious road traffic collision and to test that specimen for intoxicants. The driver is asked, on regaining capacity, whether they consent to the issuing of a certificate of the test result on the specimen. Refusal is an offence.
2012 - 2017
PARC produced a free information booklet ‘Finding Your Way’ – a guide for families following the death or serious injury of a loved one in a RTC’. Updated regularly. Copyright 2012 © PARC Road Safety Group. NALA Plain English Awards 2016 - Highly commended document.
2008 - 2016
Campaign for the abolition of fees charged to bereaved families of road traffic victims - for abstracts of Garda reports including witness statements and photographs of the fatal collision when all state proceedings are completed. Gardai were charging families €60 for a copy of the Abstract and €40 for each copy witness statement.
Result: From 1st January 2017 Gardai release documents free of charge to bereaved families.
2007 - 2017
Celebration of World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims each year.
2016 - Ongoing Campaign to hold owners of vehicles liable when their vehicle is driven by an unaccompanied learner driver.
The Clancy family campaign following the death of Geraldine and Louise Clancy in a RTC involving a learner driver on 22nd December 2015.
Result: The Clancy family Amendment was written into the Road Traffic Act 2016 and signed by President Michael D Higgins on 27th December. We await a commencement order to be signed by Transport Minister Shane Ross.
2016 - Ongoing
Campaign for Gardai to have power to seize a vehicle driven by an unaccompanied learner driver. Result: 2017 - Minister Shane Ross is to amend Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1994, to give power to An Garda Síochána to detain vehicles driven by an unaccompanied learner driver.
2012 - 2014 Penalty Points for learner permit holders driving unaccompanied and/or without L Plates.
In 2012 PARC researched best practice and met with the Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar to discuss possible changes to the present laws. We attended the Joint Oireachtas Transport Committee review of the penalty point regime in 2013 and asked for the introduction of penalty points for learner drivers who fail to display L plates and/or driving unaccompanied by a qualified driver.
Result – The Road Traffic Act 2014 provides for the imposing of penalty points for learners failing to display L plates and/or driving unaccompanied. Learner drivers who fail to be accompanied by a qualified driver with at least two years’ experience will receive two penalty points. The same penalty applies to those who fail to display an L- plate. Law enacted 8 December 2014.
2012 - 2017
Campaign for commencement of Section 44 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 – to close a loophole whereby drivers avoid conviction and penalty points - by claiming in court the non-receipt of a fixed charge notice. Attended courts and submitted reports of findings to State agencies.
Result: On 1 June 2017 Section 44 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 (3rd Payment option) was commenced by The Minister for Transport Shane Ross.
2012 - Ongoing Research of District Courts nationwide.
PARC members attended courts nationwide. We found that drivers avoided penalty points by not producing their licence in court. There have been no successful prosecutions for this offence to date. Rewording of summonses required. We submitted reports of findings to the Ministers for Justice and Transport and to the RSA.
Result: On 13th April 2017 Minister Shane Ross commenced Section 33 of the Road Traffic Act 2016, requiring a presiding judge to ask a convicted driver to produce a licence to the court. Summonses were reworded in August 2017 to facilitate prosecutions on failure to present.
2012 - 2016
Campaign for Inclusion of the unborn in Road Traffic Collision (RTC) statistics. PARC member David Walsh campaigned following the death of his daughter Mary and unborn granddaughter Mollie in a RTC on 26th March 2012.
Result: In 2016 the RSA and AGS included little Mollie Enright in Road Traffic Collision statistics.
2012 - Ongoing
Campaign to end practice of Court Poor Box used as alternative to imposing penalty points. Our research shows that many courts continue this practice despite a High Court judge ruling that the court poor box cannot be used as an alternative to imposing penalty points and fines in speeding cases. Attended courts nationwide with reports of findings submitted to relevant State agenies.
2016 - Ongoing PARC produced a Road Safety Manifesto with an extensive list of priorities for road safety to reduce the level of death and injury on Irish roads. We discussed these issues with Government, political parties and media in the run up to the General Election.
2014 - 2015
Campaign for Garda to have power of arrest - Drivers driving while disqualified.
Result: Law came into effect 22 June 2015.
2012 - Ongoing
Analysis of raw data supplied by the Minister for Justice to TD Tommy Broughan on drink driving, speeding and mobile phone offences. Report on findings submitted to relevant agencies.
2015 - Ongoing Campaign for increase in penalties for mobile phone offences. Research report relating to persons driving while holding a mobile phone delivered to relevant agencies.
2012 - 2013
Successful Campaign for major changes to the outdated Garda C(T) 68 form - used to collect information from the scene of a RTC. PARC members met with the Garda authorities and were invited to make observations and suggestions regarding a review of the form. We sought changes in the way Garda collect collision data to provide a much clearer picture of the causes behind road deaths.
Result: 1st January 2014 PARC’s points were included in the updated version of the Road Traffic Collision Form, formally C(T)68.
2017
Campaign for further amendments to the Garda Road Traffic Collision Form.
Result: Change request prioritised by Garda HQ in 2017 to ensure information is captured.
2014 - Ongoing
Campaign calling on the Minister for Transport for a Consolidation of the Road Traffic Acts.
2014 - 2017
Campaign for the reinstatement of mutual recognition of disqualified drivers between UK and Ireland.
Result: A new agreement was signed by Ireland and the UK on 30 October 2015 followed by a provision included in the Road Traffic Act 2016. The law was commenced by Transport Minister Shane Ross on 1 August 2017.
2013 - 2014
Campaign for stricter penalties for drivers who leave the scene of a fatal crash.
Result: Provision included in Road Traffic Act 2014. Enacted by Minister Varadkar 20 March 2014.
2014 - 2015
Campaign for the closure of a legal loophole whereby 14 new penalty point offences introduced in 2014 cannot be applied to driving licences on conviction.
Result: Minister signed commencement order on 28 July 2015.
2014 - Ongoing
Submission on Victims of Crime Bill to Department of Justice.
2010 - 2011
Enactment of section 63 of the 2010 Road Traffic Act
In 2011 we successfully campaigned for the immediate enactment of section 63 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 to close a legal loophole. Drivers who failed to pay their fixed penalty notices initially, and choose to fight their cases in court were not required to deliver their licence to court officials. PARC brought this anomaly to the attention of the Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar in September 2011. Result - Minister Varadkar enacted section 63 on 28 October 2011.
2011- PARC presentation at an International Conference - ‘The Human Impact of Road Collisions’.
In May 2011 PARC members were invited by the Road Safety Authority to speak at their International Road Safety Conference held in Dublin Castle. We focused on the role that the group plays representing the survivors and family members of road traffic collisions.
2008 - Leading Lights Road Safety Awards
In 2008 The Chairperson of the Road Safety Authority Gay Byrne presented PARC members Susan Gray and Ann Fogarty with the first ever Leading Lights Road Safety Awards recognising the work of PARC in road safety.
2007 - National Drink Driving Survey
In 2007 PARC conducted a national survey on reducing the drink drive limits in Ireland. We interviewed over 3,000 members of the public, face-to-face and delivered our findings to the Minister for Transport, Mr. Noel Dempsey and to the Road Safety Authority. In 2009 we wrote to all Oireachtas Members requesting their support. Result - A lower drink drive limit in the Road Traffic Act 2010 was enacted on 28 October 2011.
2008 - 2010 - PARC’s work in Road Safety Education
PARC sponsored road safety competitions in national schools in Donegal and produced a road safety calendar. We participated in Garda road safety programmes in secondary schools and instigated a memorial road safety competition in conjunction with the VEC in Co. Wicklow.
Since 2006 when PARC was founded we have worked with families of victims of road traffic collisions and with all relevant stakeholders in road safety. This has resulted in many positive changes in road traffic legislation and driver behaviour to date.
2006 - 2011
Campaign for Mandatory Testing of all drivers involved in fatal and serious collisions.
Result: Law introduced by the Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar on 1 June 2011 under the Road Traffic Act 2011 .Gardai must conduct a preliminary test at the scene of a RTC where someone has been injured and requires medical attention.
2006 - 2014
Campaign for the testing of unconscious/incapacitated drivers involved in fatal and serious collisions.
Result: Law introduced by Transport Minister Paschal Donohue on 27 Nov 2014 under the Road Traffic Act 2014 It is possible to take a specimen of blood from a driver who is incapacitated following a serious road traffic collision and to test that specimen for intoxicants. The driver is asked, on regaining capacity, whether they consent to the issuing of a certificate of the test result on the specimen. Refusal is an offence.
2012 - 2017
PARC produced a free information booklet ‘Finding Your Way’ – a guide for families following the death or serious injury of a loved one in a RTC’. Updated regularly. Copyright 2012 © PARC Road Safety Group. NALA Plain English Awards 2016 - Highly commended document.
2008 - 2016
Campaign for the abolition of fees charged to bereaved families of road traffic victims - for abstracts of Garda reports including witness statements and photographs of the fatal collision when all state proceedings are completed. Gardai were charging families €60 for a copy of the Abstract and €40 for each copy witness statement.
Result: From 1st January 2017 Gardai release documents free of charge to bereaved families.
2007 - 2017
Celebration of World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims each year.
2016 - Ongoing Campaign to hold owners of vehicles liable when their vehicle is driven by an unaccompanied learner driver.
The Clancy family campaign following the death of Geraldine and Louise Clancy in a RTC involving a learner driver on 22nd December 2015.
Result: The Clancy family Amendment was written into the Road Traffic Act 2016 and signed by President Michael D Higgins on 27th December. We await a commencement order to be signed by Transport Minister Shane Ross.
2016 - Ongoing
Campaign for Gardai to have power to seize a vehicle driven by an unaccompanied learner driver. Result: 2017 - Minister Shane Ross is to amend Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1994, to give power to An Garda Síochána to detain vehicles driven by an unaccompanied learner driver.
2012 - 2014 Penalty Points for learner permit holders driving unaccompanied and/or without L Plates.
In 2012 PARC researched best practice and met with the Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar to discuss possible changes to the present laws. We attended the Joint Oireachtas Transport Committee review of the penalty point regime in 2013 and asked for the introduction of penalty points for learner drivers who fail to display L plates and/or driving unaccompanied by a qualified driver.
Result – The Road Traffic Act 2014 provides for the imposing of penalty points for learners failing to display L plates and/or driving unaccompanied. Learner drivers who fail to be accompanied by a qualified driver with at least two years’ experience will receive two penalty points. The same penalty applies to those who fail to display an L- plate. Law enacted 8 December 2014.
2012 - 2017
Campaign for commencement of Section 44 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 – to close a loophole whereby drivers avoid conviction and penalty points - by claiming in court the non-receipt of a fixed charge notice. Attended courts and submitted reports of findings to State agencies.
Result: On 1 June 2017 Section 44 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 (3rd Payment option) was commenced by The Minister for Transport Shane Ross.
2012 - Ongoing Research of District Courts nationwide.
PARC members attended courts nationwide. We found that drivers avoided penalty points by not producing their licence in court. There have been no successful prosecutions for this offence to date. Rewording of summonses required. We submitted reports of findings to the Ministers for Justice and Transport and to the RSA.
Result: On 13th April 2017 Minister Shane Ross commenced Section 33 of the Road Traffic Act 2016, requiring a presiding judge to ask a convicted driver to produce a licence to the court. Summonses were reworded in August 2017 to facilitate prosecutions on failure to present.
2012 - 2016
Campaign for Inclusion of the unborn in Road Traffic Collision (RTC) statistics. PARC member David Walsh campaigned following the death of his daughter Mary and unborn granddaughter Mollie in a RTC on 26th March 2012.
Result: In 2016 the RSA and AGS included little Mollie Enright in Road Traffic Collision statistics.
2012 - Ongoing
Campaign to end practice of Court Poor Box used as alternative to imposing penalty points. Our research shows that many courts continue this practice despite a High Court judge ruling that the court poor box cannot be used as an alternative to imposing penalty points and fines in speeding cases. Attended courts nationwide with reports of findings submitted to relevant State agenies.
2016 - Ongoing PARC produced a Road Safety Manifesto with an extensive list of priorities for road safety to reduce the level of death and injury on Irish roads. We discussed these issues with Government, political parties and media in the run up to the General Election.
2014 - 2015
Campaign for Garda to have power of arrest - Drivers driving while disqualified.
Result: Law came into effect 22 June 2015.
2012 - Ongoing
Analysis of raw data supplied by the Minister for Justice to TD Tommy Broughan on drink driving, speeding and mobile phone offences. Report on findings submitted to relevant agencies.
2015 - Ongoing Campaign for increase in penalties for mobile phone offences. Research report relating to persons driving while holding a mobile phone delivered to relevant agencies.
2012 - 2013
Successful Campaign for major changes to the outdated Garda C(T) 68 form - used to collect information from the scene of a RTC. PARC members met with the Garda authorities and were invited to make observations and suggestions regarding a review of the form. We sought changes in the way Garda collect collision data to provide a much clearer picture of the causes behind road deaths.
Result: 1st January 2014 PARC’s points were included in the updated version of the Road Traffic Collision Form, formally C(T)68.
2017
Campaign for further amendments to the Garda Road Traffic Collision Form.
Result: Change request prioritised by Garda HQ in 2017 to ensure information is captured.
2014 - Ongoing
Campaign calling on the Minister for Transport for a Consolidation of the Road Traffic Acts.
2014 - 2017
Campaign for the reinstatement of mutual recognition of disqualified drivers between UK and Ireland.
Result: A new agreement was signed by Ireland and the UK on 30 October 2015 followed by a provision included in the Road Traffic Act 2016. The law was commenced by Transport Minister Shane Ross on 1 August 2017.
2013 - 2014
Campaign for stricter penalties for drivers who leave the scene of a fatal crash.
Result: Provision included in Road Traffic Act 2014. Enacted by Minister Varadkar 20 March 2014.
2014 - 2015
Campaign for the closure of a legal loophole whereby 14 new penalty point offences introduced in 2014 cannot be applied to driving licences on conviction.
Result: Minister signed commencement order on 28 July 2015.
2014 - Ongoing
Submission on Victims of Crime Bill to Department of Justice.
2010 - 2011
Enactment of section 63 of the 2010 Road Traffic Act
In 2011 we successfully campaigned for the immediate enactment of section 63 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 to close a legal loophole. Drivers who failed to pay their fixed penalty notices initially, and choose to fight their cases in court were not required to deliver their licence to court officials. PARC brought this anomaly to the attention of the Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar in September 2011. Result - Minister Varadkar enacted section 63 on 28 October 2011.
2011- PARC presentation at an International Conference - ‘The Human Impact of Road Collisions’.
In May 2011 PARC members were invited by the Road Safety Authority to speak at their International Road Safety Conference held in Dublin Castle. We focused on the role that the group plays representing the survivors and family members of road traffic collisions.
2008 - Leading Lights Road Safety Awards
In 2008 The Chairperson of the Road Safety Authority Gay Byrne presented PARC members Susan Gray and Ann Fogarty with the first ever Leading Lights Road Safety Awards recognising the work of PARC in road safety.
2007 - National Drink Driving Survey
In 2007 PARC conducted a national survey on reducing the drink drive limits in Ireland. We interviewed over 3,000 members of the public, face-to-face and delivered our findings to the Minister for Transport, Mr. Noel Dempsey and to the Road Safety Authority. In 2009 we wrote to all Oireachtas Members requesting their support. Result - A lower drink drive limit in the Road Traffic Act 2010 was enacted on 28 October 2011.
2008 - 2010 - PARC’s work in Road Safety Education
PARC sponsored road safety competitions in national schools in Donegal and produced a road safety calendar. We participated in Garda road safety programmes in secondary schools and instigated a memorial road safety competition in conjunction with the VEC in Co. Wicklow.