Vol. 546 No. 3
324 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures he intends to bring forward to increase the number of prosecutions in the event of fatal accidents involving cyclists. [31655/01]
The need for a particular focus on vulnerable road users, including cyclists, was a specific recommendation of the high level group on road safety in its second progress report on the Government strategy for road safety. My Department, in association with the Dublin Transportation Office, DTO, has published a design manual for cycle facilities entitled, Provision of Cycle Facilities – National Manual for Urban Areas (March 1998), which was circulated to all local authorities. The manual is intended to assist local authorities to provide cycle facilities to a uniform and high standard. Ensuring the safety of cyclists was an important consideration in developing the manual, which drew on international practice, particularly from the Netherlands and the UK.
The manual sets out comprehensive guidelines for the design and provision of cycle facilities, specifically addresses the need for continuity in relation to cycle facilities and shows examples where this can be achieved with particular reference to the question of continuity through junctions and at pinch points. The DTO is now reviewing the cycle manual in the light of experience since 1998.
The annual road accident facts report prepared by the National Roads Authority reveals that in 2000, the number of cyclists killed was ten which is the lowest number of fatalities reported in 40 years and comprises just 2.4% of all fatalities compared to 8% a decade ago. The above reports are available in the Oireachtas Library.
