A plan by the Road Safety Authority to introduce speeding awareness courses as an alternative to penalty points has been described as "another get out of jail free card", by a road safety campaigner.
Under the RSA plans, drivers could be given the option of taking the course or accepting penalty points and a fine in a system similar to one already in place in the UK, where drivers caught speeding are sent on a four-to-five hour course and educated on road safety regulations at a cost of £100.
Irish Road Victims Association vice president Leo Lieghio said that already in Ireland drivers caught speeding receive three penalty points and a fine.
"So you’re basically given four chances already, and now you’re going to get an extra one by being given an option," he said.
Watch: Are speed awareness courses a 'get out of jail free card'?
Mr Lieghio's 16-year-old daughter Marcia was killed in 2005 after she was struck by a car.
Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Colm Ó Mongáin, Mr Lieghio said: "We want to see stronger measures and stronger deterrents (for speeding). These aren't deterrents."
He said that courses should be run as well as receiving a penalty and that drivers should not have the option to choose.
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"Everybody knows the chances of being caught now are very slim and the chances of being caught four times is astronomical. What we're looking for is doubled penalty points, so if you’re caught the first time you certainly won't be taking the risk of being caught a second time.
"These courses are great, but they should run in conjunction with a penalty, not instead of a penalty. I can’t see it working.
"For every 1% reduction in speed, it can reduce road deaths and pedestrian fatalities by 7%. Every kilometre counts."
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Mr Lieghio added that should the courses be introduced, organisations such as the Irish Roads Victims Association could have a vital part to play in their delivery.
"There was a chap a number of years ago who used to run a similar course for drivers who had lost their licences and they had to do this course before the judge gave them their licence back.
"He used to call me and I used to tell them what happened to my family and my daughters. It had an effect. There would be a big role there for victims because talk is cheap.
"They (drivers) have to see the consequences of their actions. The speed we choose to drive can be the difference between life and death," he said.
The founder of road safety group PARC said that while she would welcome the introduction of speeding awareness courses, they "cannot replace penalty points and a fine".
Susan Grey said penalty points and fines are "known deterrents" and offering drivers the option of doing a course instead would send "a very bad message".
"Make sure they still get the penalty points, make sure they still get the fine, but ensure that they also have to do an awareness course in the hope that it might change their driving behaviour," Ms Gray said.
RSA Chief Executive Sam Waide said the plans are to be put to the Government.
The authority is proposing the introduction of speed awareness courses as an alternative to penalty points for speeding offenders between 2025 and 2027.
In a statement, the RSA confirmed that it "has been reviewing speed awareness courses as an alternative to penalty points for speeding offenders.
"This review included a literature review on speed awareness courses in other countries to assess their effectiveness," the statement said.
"We are considering following the model in place in the UK where courses are offered to those engaging in low-level speeding specifically, and where research has shown that these contribute to reduced rates of reoffending. Findings from the UK indicate that it is critical that speed awareness courses are underpinned by the psychology of behaviour change, to be effective."
"In light of this, the RSA is proposing that the introduction of speed awareness courses be considered as part of Phase 2 of the government Road Safety Strategy," the statement said.
Phase 2 runs from 2025 to 2027.
"Our primary goal remains enhancing road safety awareness and behaviour to reduce road collisions through evidence-based strategies," a spokesperson said.
Additional reporting Laura Fletcher
