The National Safety Council has decided the appropriate financial investment required as per the strategic and planning recommendations to the Minister and these costs are included in Table 5.1. The operation is designed to increase enforcement capacity in relation to the detection of the key offences that impact directly on road fatalities. It is designed also to produce high visibility patrolling in terms of raising public awareness of the enforcement activity and the serious issues involved. The programme was introduced in July 1997 on a pilot basis and extended nationally, on a phased basis thereafter. The Garda estimates that Operation Lifesaver represents 3.4 per cent of total Garda time, almost half the total traffic effort of 7.1 per cent of the Garda.
Emphasis is placed on speed, alcohol and seat belt wearing.
Speeding fines on the spot enforcement has increased from 71,000 to 132,000 and according to the Garda they will have increased three fold to a projected 222,000 by the end of next year. Drunk driving enforcement is also strongly increased. In addition, it is often observed that as enforcement levels are raised offending levels often decline. The staffing level of the Garda National Traffic Policy Bureau is one Chief Superintendent, one Superintendent, one Inspector, two Sergeants, two Garda and two clerical staff. The salary cost for the section is 285,900.