Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 February 2007
185 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport if he has requested the relevant State authorities to introduce measures to tackle driver fatigue related road accidents; the specific measures that are being pursued to tackle this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6627/07]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority (RSA), which has responsibility for road safety advertising and promotion, has acknowledged that driver fatigue could be a contributory factor in up to a fifth of driver deaths in Ireland. They also say that driving when very tired is as dangerous as driving while over the drink drive limit. The Authority revealed these facts at the launch of their winter road safety campaign in October 2006, which highlighted the dangers of driver fatigue. That campaign included a 30 second radio advert and poster advertising in garage forecourts that are designed to communicate the dangers of fatigue when driving. Details of the Authority's current campaign on dealing with driver fatigue are available on its website at www.rsa.ie.
The Question Bank for the driver theory test includes questions regarding fatigue so that learner drivers are aware before they commence driving of the dangers of driving while fatigued. In 2006 I requested that the National Roads Authority (NRA) examine their policy in relation to the provision of service and rest areas on the national road network. The NRA have subsequently issued a revised policy statement on service areas and rest areas on motorways and dual carriageways which provides for the provision of service areas at intervals of approximately 50-60kms and for rest areas (parking, toilet block, picnic facilities) at intervals of approximately 25-30kms. Full details of the strategy are available on the NRA's website at www.nra.ie.
