The Garda Síochána Inspectorate today published a report, “Roads Policing – Review and Recommendations.”

The report is the result of a comprehensive assessment of the Garda Síochána’s commitment and performance in the area of roads policing. It follows detailed research and widespread consultation with the Garda Síochána at all ranks, the Garda representative associations, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Department of Transport, the Road Safety Authority, the Medical Bureau of Road Safety and the Association of City and County Managers. The Inspectorate team also met with Mothers Against Drink Driving (MADD), Co-operation and Working Together (CAWT) and Public Against Road Carnage (PARC). This inspection was undertaken in collaboration with Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJI) and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) who were jointly undertaking a similar roads policing study in Northern Ireland. The field work for this inspection was led by Deputy Chief Inspector Gwen Boniface. Chief Inspector O’Toole said, “I would like to express my sincere thanks to all who provided assistance and input to the inspection team, particularly Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary.”

In summarising the findings, the Chief Inspector said, “The Garda Síochána is achieving much higher visibility and enforcement levels in recent years and is making a very important contribution to greater road safety.”

The Report includes twenty-five recommendations relating to roads policing operations and administration. The Chief Inspector commented, “It is the Inspectorate’s hope that the implementation of these recommendations will further enhance the contribution of the Garda Síochána to the overall road safety effort.”

As in previous reports, the Inspectorate has placed police officer safety as a key objective of its work. The Inspectorate now recommends that the practice of allowing members to drive on ‘Chiefs Permission’ should cease and the Garda Síochána should develop a comprehensive driver training programme for members. Additionally, the Inspectorate recommends that new recruit applicants joining the Garda Síochána be required to possess a valid driving license prior to employment and successfully complete a comprehensive police driving course during their probationer training.

The Chief Inspector acknowledged the commitment of all of the road safety partner organisations and commented that “A reduction in road deaths and casualties cannot be achieved by the police alone. It requires the coordinated efforts of all road safety partners. The reductions in road deaths and injuries in recent years are indicative of what can be achieved through sustained, purposeful efforts.”

The Roads Policing report is available on the Inspectorate’s website www.gsinsp.ie