A traffic corps could be started by enlisting retired members of the Garda, regardless of previous rank, Dr Jim McDaid, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, suggested in the Seanad yesterday.
Such a corps was apparently favoured by all political parties, he said, during a debate on an Independent members' motion urging that all outstanding aspects of the National Road Safety Strategy be implemented without delay.
Dr McDaid said gardaí could retire after 30 years service and on reaching 50-52 years of age. Many gardaí had left at this early stage and some might welcome a return to the ranks for traffic duties.
"We could also look at extending the compulsory retirement age of 57 to members willing to serve.
"These are matters for debate, but I feel they should be considered in the setting up of this country's much-needed traffic corps."
The Minister also noted the reduction in the number of road accidents as a result of the use of safety cameras in Britain.
There were in excess of 3,000 camera sites there, of which around 2,000 were used for speed enforcement and 1,000 for red light offences.
"This shows the belief by the authorities in the UK of the value of these cameras. This contrasts with only 20 in Ireland."
Dr McDaid said that provisional data made available by the Garda indicated that the number of road deaths had fallen from a total of 113 in the period November 2001 to January 2002, to 67 over the most recent period.