Consolidation of road traffic legislation needed urgently says FTA Ireland

Responding to the statement by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe that his Department will now begin the process of consolidating all road traffic legislation, FTA Ireland (FTAI) has welcomed the news that the Department of Transport is set to consolidate all road traffic legislation.

FTAI has long made the issue of consolidating road traffic and transport legislation a policy position saying that to so would be critical.  The Association stated today that it will be an enormous task with over 150 pieces of primary legislation, and that Road Traffic offences are amongst the most challenging laws in the courts, but added that the issue should be a priority for the Minister and his Department.

Neil McDonnell – FTA Ireland General Manager said: “FTAI is delighted that the Transport Minister has announced an intention to consolidate road traffic legislation.  We have made it a policy position for some time that road traffic and transport legislation is in urgent need of consolidation. It is currently governed by over 150 pieces of primary legislation, not including Statutory Instruments.”

In his statement Minister Donohoe acknowledged that road traffic legislation is complex and has been amended on several occasions over the years and announced that to avoid recent problems that have arisen that his Department would begin the process of consolidating all road traffic legislation.

Mr McDonnell concluded: “While FTAI does not underestimate the size of the task for the Minister in consolidating this legislation, it is law that saves lives, and is worthy of priority and resources.”