Lack of support for Garda traffic units is hampering attempts to improve road safety, the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors has claimed.
Traffic units, it says, are being used to generate cash for the State rather than improve bad road behaviour.
In a submission to a group set up within the Garda to draw up a strategic plan on traffic, the association says traffic accidents cost 10 times more than crime each year. Yet garda traffic units are under-resourced and are frequently switched to other duties.
The submission, which calls for an education scheme to "eliminate the scourge of boy racers", says traffic law enforcement is not given a sufficiently high profile by Garda management.
Mr Joe Dirwan, the association's president, said many members were "extremely concerned at the lack of support for traffic units working on the ground.
"Too many of our units are working with too few members, in old vehicles and without sufficient computer and clerical support." In the Republic, he said, only 4 per cent of the force was deployed on traffic duties, compared to between 8 and 9 per cent in the UK.
Traffic accidents cost around €700 million annually in the State, while crime cost €73 million. "On the basis of those figures alone, more resources should be devoted to traffic."
The association proposes the introduction of a course in driving at Leaving Certificate or transition year level to tackle the problem of reckless driving by young people.
"Such a course could help to reduce the high accident rate for young drivers and could also have the knock-on effect of reducing insurance costs," said Mr Dirwan.
