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 drivers involved in fatal and serious collisions. Result: Law introduced 1 June 2011.
2006 - 2014
Campaign for the Testing of unconscious/incapacitated drivers involved in fatal and serious collisions. Result: Law came into place on 27 Nov 2014.
2012 - 2016
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 RTC victims for abstracts of Garda reports including witness statements and photographs when all state proceedings are completed. At present Gardai charge families €60 for a copy of the Abstract and €40 for each copy of a statement. Result: On 30 August 2016 Gardai announced that from 1st January 2017 there will be a waiver of fees in relation to collisions where a fatality occurred.
2007 - 2016
Celebration of World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims each year.
2012 - 2016
Inclusion of the unborn in Road Traffic Collision (RTC) statistics.
2014 - 2015
Campaign for the reinstatement of mutual recognition of disqualified drivers between the UK and Ireland. Result: A new agreement was signed by Ireland and the UK on 30 October 2015. It was signed into law on 27 December 2016 (Road Traffic Act 2016).
2012 - 2014 - Sought and achieved penalty points for certain offences committed by learner and novice drivers - Law enacted 8 December 2014.
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Successful Campaign for major changes to the outdated Garda C(T) 68 form used to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. Form updated 1 Jan 2014.
2013 - 2014
Campaigned for stricter penalties for drivers who leave the scene of a fatal crash. New Law enacted 20 March 2014.
2012 - present.
Research of District Courts and reports of findings submitted to Ministers for Justice and Transport and the RSA. Result – 2015 - prosecutions for the first time in Ireland of drivers who fail to produce their licences in court. Ongoing.
2012- present.
Research of District courts and reports of findings submitted to Ministers on the continued use of the court poor box for penalty point offences despite a High Court ruling in 2014 stating that the practice was “incorrect”. Ongoing.
2014 - 2015
Campaigned for extra powers for the gardai to arrest drivers who drive while disqualified. Result: Law came into effect 22 June 2015.
2012 - present.
Pressing for the ‘third payment option’ law to be enacted - section 44 of the 2010 Act. Ongoing.
2014 - 2015
Campaigned 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 - 2015
Campaign calling on the Minister for Transport for a consolidation of the Road Traffic Acts - ongoing.
Submission on Victims of Crime Bill to Department of Justice.
Successful campaign for the immediate enactment of law to close a legal loophole on penalty points- Law enacted by Transport Minister Leo Varadkar on 28 Oct 2011.
National Drink Driving Survey.
In 2007 we conducted a survey on reducing the drink driving limits with findings delivered to Gov. and the Road Safety Authority. The Road Traffic Act 2010 included a provision for lower drink driving limits with legislation enacted on 28 October 2011.
Campaign information:
Mandatory testing of drivers involved in Road Traffic Collisions.
In 2006 PARC started a campaign when we discovered that it was left to the discretion of Gardaí attending the scene whether to test a driver who had killed or maimed another in a crash. We delivered a petition signed by over 40,000 to Government calling for legislation for the testing of all surviving drivers involved. We addressed the Joint Committee on Transport in 2011 informing them that 9 out of 10 surviving drivers involved in fatal crashes were not tested for alcohol. Result – The Road Traffic Act 2011 included a provision for such testing – Law enacted by the Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar on 1 June 2011.
Testing of unconscious drivers involved in fatal/serious collisions.
PARC researched best practice in the UK in relation to the testing of an unconscious/incapacitated driver and delivered a report to the Minister for Transport. Result - The Road Traffic Act 2014 sets out that Gardaí will be able to direct that a blood sample is taken, and that sample may be certified once the driver gives permission. This law was commenced on the 27 November 2014.
'Finding Your Way' booklet for families of victims of Road Traffic Collisions.
In Nov 2012, we published a free booklet for families following the death of a loved one in a road traffic collision. A copy is available free of charge by writing to PARC Road Safety Group, PO Box 30, Carndonagh, Co. Donegal and from Garda Family Liaison Officers (FLOs). It may be accessed on our website - www.parcroadsafety.ie. Feedback from families and FLOs has been very positive. This booklet is updated regularly to cover any relevant changes to the Road Traffic Act. In 2017 PARC was presented with a highly-commended award for ‘Finding Your Way’ by the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA).
Campaign for the abolition of fees charged to bereaved families of RTC Victims.
Since 2008 PARC campaigned for the bereaved families of road traffic collisions to be furnished with abstracts of Garda reports including witness statements and photographs, free of charge when all state proceedings are completed. Gardai charged families €60 for a copy of the Abstract and €40 for each copy of a statement. These documents are often the only way that families have of getting information about the circumstances which led to their loved one's death. The 2016 inquest into the deaths of 8 victims in a Donegal collision brought these fees into sharp focus in the media. We reported that It would cost each of these families in excess of €10,000 to procure copies of these documents from the Gardai. PARC's concerns is for all families in this situation. Result: On 30 August 2016 Gardai announced that from 1st January 2017 there will be a waiver of fees in relation to collisions where a fatality occurred.
World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
In 2007 PARC road safety group held its first special event to mark World Day of Remembrance for road traffic victims in Ireland, acknowledging and remembering all the victims and their families. We continue commemorating this day with events held nationally each year.
Research of District Courts nationwide.
In 2014 PARC members attended courts nationwide. We found that drivers avoided penalty points by not producing their licence in court and there have been no prosecutions for this offence to date. We submitted our reports of findings to the Ministers for Justice and Transport and to the RSA. Result – 2015 - Prosecutions for the first time in Ireland of drivers who fail to produce their licences in court - Ongoing.
Campaign for the Reinstatement of Mutual recognition of disqualified drivers between UK, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.
On 30 October 2015 a new Agreement to provide for the mutual recognition of driver disqualification was signed by Ireland and the UK. The legislation which will underpin this agreement was passed and signed into law on the 27 December 2016 (Road Traffic Act 2016).
Stricter laws for learner drivers.
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. In 2016 the Clancy family successfully campaigned for a further change in law. The Road Traffic Act 2016 includes a provision making it an offence for owners of vehicles to allow learners to drive their vehicle unaccompanied by a qualified driver.
Stricter penalties for drivers who leave the scene of a road traffic collision.
In 2013 PARC members campaigned for the introduction of legislation to make leaving the scene of a serious road traffic collision an indictable offence. Result - The law was passed in the Road Traffic Act 2014 and enacted by Minister Varadkar on 20 March 2014.
Updating of the Garda C(T)68 form.
In 2013 PARC members met with the Garda authorities and were invited to make observations and suggestions regarding a review of the form which collects information from the scene of a road traffic collision. We sought changes in the way Garda collect collision data to provide a much clearer picture of the causes behind road deaths. Result – PARC’s points were included in the updated version of the C(T)68 form which went live on the 1st January 2014.
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.
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.
PARC’s National Road Safety 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.
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.
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 drivers involved in fatal and serious collisions. Result: Law introduced 1 June 2011.
2006 - 2014
Campaign for the Testing of unconscious/incapacitated drivers involved in fatal and serious collisions. Result: Law came into place on 27 Nov 2014.
2012 - 2016
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 RTC victims for abstracts of Garda reports including witness statements and photographs when all state proceedings are completed. At present Gardai charge families €60 for a copy of the Abstract and €40 for each copy of a statement. Result: On 30 August 2016 Gardai announced that from 1st January 2017 there will be a waiver of fees in relation to collisions where a fatality occurred.
2007 - 2016
Celebration of World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims each year.
2012 - 2016
Inclusion of the unborn in Road Traffic Collision (RTC) statistics.
2014 - 2015
Campaign for the reinstatement of mutual recognition of disqualified drivers between the UK and Ireland. Result: A new agreement was signed by Ireland and the UK on 30 October 2015. It was signed into law on 27 December 2016 (Road Traffic Act 2016).
2012 - 2014 - Sought and achieved penalty points for certain offences committed by learner and novice drivers - Law enacted 8 December 2014.
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. Form updated 1 Jan 2014.
2013 - 2014
Campaigned for stricter penalties for drivers who leave the scene of a fatal crash. New Law enacted 20 March 2014.
2012 - present.
Research of District Courts and reports of findings submitted to Ministers for Justice and Transport and the RSA. Result – 2015 - prosecutions for the first time in Ireland of drivers who fail to produce their licences in court. Ongoing.
2012- present.
Research of District courts and reports of findings submitted to Ministers on the continued use of the court poor box for penalty point offences despite a High Court ruling in 2014 stating that the practice was “incorrect”. Ongoing.
2014 - 2015
Campaigned for extra powers for the gardai to arrest drivers who drive while disqualified. Result: Law came into effect 22 June 2015.
2012 - present.
Pressing for the ‘third payment option’ law to be enacted - section 44 of the 2010 Act. Ongoing.
2014 - 2015
Campaigned 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 - 2015
Campaign calling on the Minister for Transport for a consolidation of the Road Traffic Acts - ongoing.
Submission on Victims of Crime Bill to Department of Justice.
Successful campaign for the immediate enactment of law to close a legal loophole on penalty points- Law enacted by Transport Minister Leo Varadkar on 28 Oct 2011.
National Drink Driving Survey.
In 2007 we conducted a survey on reducing the drink driving limits with findings delivered to Gov. and the Road Safety Authority. The Road Traffic Act 2010 included a provision for lower drink driving limits with legislation enacted on 28 October 2011.
Campaign information:
Mandatory testing of drivers involved in Road Traffic Collisions.
In 2006 PARC started a campaign when we discovered that it was left to the discretion of Gardaí attending the scene whether to test a driver who had killed or maimed another in a crash. We delivered a petition signed by over 40,000 to Government calling for legislation for the testing of all surviving drivers involved. We addressed the Joint Committee on Transport in 2011 informing them that 9 out of 10 surviving drivers involved in fatal crashes were not tested for alcohol. Result – The Road Traffic Act 2011 included a provision for such testing – Law enacted by the Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar on 1 June 2011.
Testing of unconscious drivers involved in fatal/serious collisions.
PARC researched best practice in the UK in relation to the testing of an unconscious/incapacitated driver and delivered a report to the Minister for Transport. Result - The Road Traffic Act 2014 sets out that Gardaí will be able to direct that a blood sample is taken, and that sample may be certified once the driver gives permission. This law was commenced on the 27 November 2014.
'Finding Your Way' booklet for families of victims of Road Traffic Collisions.
In Nov 2012, we published a free booklet for families following the death of a loved one in a road traffic collision. A copy is available free of charge by writing to PARC Road Safety Group, PO Box 30, Carndonagh, Co. Donegal and from Garda Family Liaison Officers (FLOs). It may be accessed on our website - www.parcroadsafety.ie. Feedback from families and FLOs has been very positive. This booklet is updated regularly to cover any relevant changes to the Road Traffic Act. In 2017 PARC was presented with a highly-commended award for ‘Finding Your Way’ by the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA).
Campaign for the abolition of fees charged to bereaved families of RTC Victims.
Since 2008 PARC campaigned for the bereaved families of road traffic collisions to be furnished with abstracts of Garda reports including witness statements and photographs, free of charge when all state proceedings are completed. Gardai charged families €60 for a copy of the Abstract and €40 for each copy of a statement. These documents are often the only way that families have of getting information about the circumstances which led to their loved one's death. The 2016 inquest into the deaths of 8 victims in a Donegal collision brought these fees into sharp focus in the media. We reported that It would cost each of these families in excess of €10,000 to procure copies of these documents from the Gardai. PARC's concerns is for all families in this situation. Result: On 30 August 2016 Gardai announced that from 1st January 2017 there will be a waiver of fees in relation to collisions where a fatality occurred.
World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
In 2007 PARC road safety group held its first special event to mark World Day of Remembrance for road traffic victims in Ireland, acknowledging and remembering all the victims and their families. We continue commemorating this day with events held nationally each year.
Research of District Courts nationwide.
In 2014 PARC members attended courts nationwide. We found that drivers avoided penalty points by not producing their licence in court and there have been no prosecutions for this offence to date. We submitted our reports of findings to the Ministers for Justice and Transport and to the RSA. Result – 2015 - Prosecutions for the first time in Ireland of drivers who fail to produce their licences in court - Ongoing.
Campaign for the Reinstatement of Mutual recognition of disqualified drivers between UK, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.
On 30 October 2015 a new Agreement to provide for the mutual recognition of driver disqualification was signed by Ireland and the UK. The legislation which will underpin this agreement was passed and signed into law on the 27 December 2016 (Road Traffic Act 2016).
Stricter laws for learner drivers.
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. In 2016 the Clancy family successfully campaigned for a further change in law. The Road Traffic Act 2016 includes a provision making it an offence for owners of vehicles to allow learners to drive their vehicle unaccompanied by a qualified driver.
Stricter penalties for drivers who leave the scene of a road traffic collision.
In 2013 PARC members campaigned for the introduction of legislation to make leaving the scene of a serious road traffic collision an indictable offence. Result - The law was passed in the Road Traffic Act 2014 and enacted by Minister Varadkar on 20 March 2014.
Updating of the Garda C(T)68 form.
In 2013 PARC members met with the Garda authorities and were invited to make observations and suggestions regarding a review of the form which collects information from the scene of a road traffic collision. We sought changes in the way Garda collect collision data to provide a much clearer picture of the causes behind road deaths. Result – PARC’s points were included in the updated version of the C(T)68 form which went live on the 1st January 2014.
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.
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.
PARC’s National Road Safety 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.
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.
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.
