It’s claimed that increasing fees to facilitate driving tests and NCTs in Clare is ‘going down the wrong path’.
It follows recommendations released this week regarding the future operations of the Road Safety Authority.
On Tuesday, an independent review recommended that the Road Safety Authority be split into two separate agencies.
From the beginning of 2025, one agency will solely be tasked with the provision of driving tests and NCTs, while the other will focus on road safety campaigns and education initiatives.
So far this year 147 people have died on our roads and although down from the number at the same time last year, the figure is touted as still too high.
Better Ennis spokesperson Síle Guinnane claims a greater volume of road safety experts are needed in the newly formed agency as public health is being greatly overlooked on Irish roads.
One key finding of the report carried out into the RSA was that the current funding model was unsustainable.
As part of their recommendations Indecon consultants noted that in order to facilitate the new agency for driving tests and NCTs, an increase in fees in 2025 and subsequent years would be required.
Cratloe Fianna Fáil Cllr, Pat O’Gorman, believes trying to make money from road safety is the wrong approach to take on the issue and that the next government should bear the responsibility of funding the agency.
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