Vol. 572 No. 3
107 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied that less than 3% of the national roads budget is invested in special safety projects; the length of the new national dual carriageway roads which are built with a separating crash barrier to prevent cross-over into oncoming lanes; and the standards applying with regard to the provision of driver rest stops on the new motorway and dual carriageway road network. [23141/03]
Expenditure by the NRA on specific road safety measures on the national roads network over the period 1999-2003 averaged €14 million per annum.
This has funded activities for remedial measures at high risk accident locations, traffic calming schemes, signing and lining and road safety research, including surveys in relation to vehicle speeds and seat belt wearing. Indeed, the authority has met and in some cases surpassed its specific commitments in the Government's Road to Safety Strategy 1998-2002.
I am satisfied that this level of expenditure has achieved and will continue to achieve substantial improvements in safety levels on the national roads network. It should also be noted that the main national roads improvement programme is also providing a substantial road safety dividend through the provision of higher quality and safer roads.
The position on the provision of safety barriers is that the NRA is now providing safety barriers on the central reservations of all new motorways and dual carriageways where the reservation is 15 metres or less in width. The NRA has commenced a retrofit programme to provide safety barriers on existing motorways and duel carriageways where this standard warrants it. The position on motorways is that the NRA is currently reviewing the position in relation to the provision of rest stops-lay-bys.
