Vol. 325 No. 8
asked the Minister for the Environment the number of persons killed on the roads in (1) the Twenty-six counties and (2) the Six counties on an annual basis over the past ten years; the number injured in both parts of the island over the same period; and the action being taken to stop the continuing mayhem by motorists on one another.
266.
asked the Minister for the Environment in view of the number of persons being killed on the roads on a daily basis, if he will now introduce an emergency road safety campaign, particularly for the Christmas and New Year holiday period; the nature of the campaign; the date of its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
267.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline the main causative factors for the many road deaths and injuries over the past five years.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 265, 266 and 267 together.
Details of the numbers of deaths and injuries resulting from road accidents, together with analyses of the contributory factors involved are published annually in the Foras Forbartha Report Road Accident Facts, 1979. Similar details regarding Northern Ireland are published in the Royal Ulster Constabulary's Road Traffic Accident Report 1979. Copies of these reports are available in the Dáil Library.
Action is being taken here on a number of fronts to reduce the level of deaths and injuries on our roads. The objectives of the Road Development Plan, to which the Government are committed, include the elimination of accident black spots, and the provision of adequate signs and markings. The anti drunk-driving measures provided in the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 1978, have enabled the Garda to take vigorous action to deal with the menace of the drinking driver. Regulations were introduced in 1979 making compulsory the wearing of safety belts in the front seats of cars and of crash helmets on motor cycles.
Future action in relation to road safety will include:
(1) The introduction by 1 January 1983, of compulsory roadworthiness testing of heavy goods vehicles, large public service vehicles, buses and ambulances, and as soon as possible of private cars.
(2) Continuation of driver control measures which are aimed at or which contribute to road safety including the licensing of drivers, the driving test, which is well up to international standards, and the certificate of fitness which applies to persons over 70 years of age, to persons with serious disabilities seeking a driving licence and to persons seeking a licence to drive a bus.
(3) Continued support for the National Road Safety Association which has responsibility for road safety education and publicity.
(4) Continued support for roads research work which provides a valuable base for the formulation and implementation of policy in relation to road planning and construction, the improvement of traffic management and the promotion of road safety.
The organisation and implementation of road safety campaigns is a function of the National Road Safety Association, which is representative of a wide range of interests, including the local authorities, the Garda, motoring bodies and youth organisations. The association have organised a winter campaign, which will extend over Christmas and into the New Year, highlighting pedestrian and cyclist safety and the menace of drinking and driving. At the association's request, and with the co-operation of Radio Telefís Éireann, I will be making a special appeal on television for extra care on the roads over the Christmas period.
