By Cianna McNally

Figures released at the Co Monaghan Joint Policing Committee meeting on Monday of this week show a decrease in traffic collisions and drink and drug driving related incidents in the county.

This news was revealed when Garda Superintendent Noel Cunningham gave a presentation on road safety to members of the JPC. Joint Policing Committees (JPCs) aim to develop greater consultation, cooperation and synergy on policing and crime issues between An Garda Síochána, local authorities and elected local representatives. JPCs also facilitate the participation of the community and voluntary sectors in this regard.

The report presented at Monday’s meeting compared statistics relating to the policing of the roads in the county from the period 1 January – 30 May 2009 and from 1 January – 30 May 2010. Superintendent Cunningham informed members that speed is still seen to contribute to one third of all road accidents across Europe. However, fatal traffic collisions in Co Monaghan during the periods indicated had reduced from one in 2009 to zero in 2010. Serious injury figures remained at three while minor injury figures decreased from 40 in 2009 to 20 in 2010. Material damage statistics went down from 255 in 2009 to 191 this year so far. One person was killed in Co Monaghan during the aforementioned period in 2009 but there have been no fatalities so far in 2010. Five people were seriously injured in 2009, a figure which has decreased to three this year. 49 people suffered minor injuries in 2009 and that figure has reduced to 26 so far in 2010.

Collision Prone Zones are areas identified where accidents are most likely to occur and are compiled from traffic accidents statistics generated by Gardaí. Collision Prevention meetings are held on a quarterly basis and measures to prevent accidents from occurring are discussed. Amongst other bodies, An Garda Síochana works in conjunction with the Road Safety Authority whom they meet with on a monthly basis and the Crime Unit whom they meet with weekly. Figures relating to driving under the influence of alcohol from the periods of 1 Jan – 30 May 2009 and 1 Jan – 30 May 2010 mainly show a decrease. A total of 160 people were found to be intoxicated while driving a vehicle in 2009 while this year the figure is down to 113. 16 people were found intoxicated in charge of a vehicle in 2009, a figure that has reduced to 10 so far this year. Four people were arrested and found to be under the legal limit in the 2009 period, this figure increased to 22 in the same period this year.

A report on Mandatory Alcohol Testing (MAT) statistics was also presented at Monday’s meeting. From 1 January – 30 May 2010 there were 345 MAT checkpoints set up in Co Monaghan. A total of 4,244 vehicles passed through the checkpoint. 2,375 of the tests were negative, seven were positive and there were six arrests for drunk driving. 16 other road traffic offences were detected. At the Garda Station over the same period of time there was one negative test, two positive tests, one blood sample was taken and there was one failure to provide a blood or urine test.

Councillor Aidan Murray welcomed Superintendent Cunningham’s report and queried how the Gardaí dealt with people driving under the influence of drugs. In response the Superintendent said that drug testing was done as although a person may appear to be intoxicated, it could be the effects of a drug. However, Superintendent Cunningham added that there had been a decrease in drug detections this year. Checkpoints are set up by Gardaí on a regular basis from around 6pm in the evening until approximately 10am the following morning.

Dr Rory O’Hanlon TD commented that it was “tremendous” that overall the figures in the report had decreased as much as they had but also said it was important not to forget the serious injuries people can suffer in car accidents. Dr O’Hanlon added that education was key in getting drivers to take care on the roads and enquired why “dangerous overtaking” on regional roads he described as” narrow” was not included in the report. Superintendent Cunningham responded saying dangerous or careless driving was still one of the main priorities for the Gardaí and that cameras which provide video evidence of the offence occurring are in operation. The Superintendent added that the number of speeding detections was down “significantly” due to both the impact of the penalty point system and people becoming more aware of the dangers of speeding. In response to a query from Cllr Gary Carville about the prosecution of Northern Irish drivers in the Republic of Ireland and vice versa, Superintendent Cunningham said that there was an ongoing joint operation between An Garda Síochána and the PSNI.

Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin praised the Gardaí’s efforts and stressed the importance of educating drivers about road safety and careful driving. Superintendent Cunningham concurred with Deputy Ó Caoláin and said that Garda Traffic Corps Roadshows visits local primary and secondary schools on a regular basis. Deputy Seymour Crawford commended the cross-border operation but said he felt that there was no “proper” pre-driving training system in place for young people and described the current process as “rushed.” Cllr Matt Carthy agreed with Deputy Crawford and said that there was “huge potential” for Monaghan County Council to develop a training system in conjunction with the VEC.