asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the public alarm at the increase of 22 per cent in the number of persons killed in traffic accidents in Dublin in 1965 compared with 1964; and what further steps will be taken to reverse this tragic development.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Fatal Traffic Accidents.
22.
I am fully alive to the gravity of the road accident problem, but I am not aware that the position in Dublin is as described by the Deputy. Provisional figures now available show that in 1965 the number of persons killed in road accidents in the Dublin Metropolitan area was 82. Compared with the 74 people killed in the same area in 1964, this figure shows an increase of about 11 per cent. Despite the increase in fatal accidents, the overall figure for accidents in the area declined slightly from 1,061 in 1964 to 1,049 last year. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the Deputy to my reply last Tuesday to a somewhat similar question by Deputy L'Estrange in which I set out the steps which are being taken in the matter of road safety. I might add that I hope the public will react to the disquieting figures of road deaths and injuries by the exercise of care at all times when using the roads; this is essential if we are to master the road accident problem.