Michael Fitzmaurice TD says that an Innovative approach can help reduce the number of fatalities on our roads while also aiding young people with insurance costs.
The Independent TD said “I am once again making a proposal, that I have made a number of times at the Transport Committee in the Dáil, that would not only help to reduce the number of road fatalities but it would also help to reduce insurance costs for younger people. The proposal is that young people who start off driving, up to an age that could be agreed – whether it be 21 or 23 or 25, would have a Tachograph system installed in their cars that would also include a speed limiter, that would restrict the car speed up to to say, 80 km per hour. This would cost money to install but the insurance companies would then be required to reduce their premiums to young people. If there are accidents then the insurance would go up naturally but the restriction in speed would reduce the amount of death and injury on our roads.”
Michael Fitzmaurice added “Surely it would be worthwhile to try this out on a trial basis at least to see how it might work. Why is it that we are afraid to look at new ideas on an issue that is so serious? The Tachograph and speed limiter system works on lorries so why not with cars?
Administrative action required
“Minister Ross needs to step up to the plate on this one and not let the Civil Servants rule the roost. Also, it might be more in line for the Road Safety Authority to take on some novel ideas instead of penalising lorry drivers with mountains of red tape. I am calling on Liz O’Donnell as the head of the RSA, instead of blaming the Gardai and everyone else, to come out and announce some innovative ideas to help with road safety.” concluded Michael Fitzmaurice.