Vol. 326 No. 7
asked the Minister for the Environment if he will consider holding an inquiry into the continuing slaughter on our roads to establish the main causes of road deaths and injuries and subsequently take action to prevent motorists from killing and injuring themselves.
22.
asked the Minister for the Environment the number of persons killed and injured on Irish roads from 19 December 1980 up to the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will give the breakdown of the causes of the deaths and injuries in each case.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 22 together.
Provisional figures of the number of deaths and injuries resulting from road accidents are compiled by the Garda Síochána on a monthly basis in the first instance. Information is accordingly not available in the form requested by the Deputy. The latest available figures, however, indicate that during December 1980, 53 persons were killed and a further 758 were injured. The corresponding figures for December 1979 were 66 and 756 respectively. The number of road fatalities recorded in December 1980 is the lowest since 1970. The number of persons injured was about 6 per cent less than the average for December.
Details of the number of deaths and injuries resulting from road accidents together with analyses of the contributory factors involved are published on an annual basis by An Foras Forbartha in their Report Road Accident Facts. Information regarding road accidents in 1980 will be published by An Foras in due course.
I do not consider in the circumstances that the holding of an inquiry on the lines indicated by the Deputy would be necessary or appropriate. The incidence of road accidents and the causative factors involved are continuously monitored and reviewed by the Garda, who investigate accidents on the spot, by the road authorities, who are concerned with road conditions, through the specific research activities of An Foras Forbartha and the Medical Bureau of Road Safety, and overall by my Department. These activities provide a base for the formulation and implementation of traffic accident counter measures in respect of such matters as road planning and construction, the management of traffic, other administrative measures, legislation and regulations and the promotion of road safety generally.
Is the Minister aware that over the last ten years over 5,000 people have died on Irish roads and tens of thousands of people have been injured? Would he agree that, despite the best efforts of many well-intentioned and good organisations, something more remains to be done? Would the Minister not agree in those circumstances that some form of inquiry is needed? I agree with the Minister's views in relation to An Foras Forbartha but that type of publication, good as it is, does not receive sufficient publicity. Would the Minister agree that some sort of inquiry is necessary?
There are already reports given by the Garda, by An Foras Forbartha and other organisations. It would be important to highlight that, according to the report of An Foras Forbartha in 1979, the human factor contributed to nine out of ten accidents, the road factor one in five, vehicle defects to one in 12 and excessive speed and drinking while driving were other factors.
On the question of drinking and driving, would the Minister agree with me that the law at the moment allows people, albeit not very much, to drink and drive? Would the Minister have a look at that aspect of road traffic accidents? In addition to that would the Minister also highlight the need to wear seat safety belts in relation to both passengers and drivers and try to make people aware that it is an offence not to do so?
I accept the Deputy's suggestion and once again publicise the fact that it is an offence not to wear a seat belt. The National Roadsafety Association are doing excellent work in this regard.
Would the Minister like to comment on the effects of untrained drivers using the roads and on the effects of the unfortunate decision taken by his predecessor?
As I have said already, the human factor is concerned in nine out of ten accidents.
Is the Minister aware that his predecessor gave an assurance to this House that he would examine the effects of the lowered alcohol level on the accident rate and, if he was not convinced that it was having the desired effect, that he would bring in amending legislation to reduce it still further?
I will look at that.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I understood the Minister to say in the course of a recent contribution in this House that he had proposals for legislation to amend the drunken driving laws. Would the Minister mind telling us what is involved there?
There were some technical problems that needed to be sorted out and which arose from court decisions.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is it a fact that no prosecutions will stand up in respect of detection since last October?
That is another question.
Would the Ceann Comhairle look at the possibility of my raising this matter on the adjournment? The Minister has answered his questions satisfactorily in every respect but I am not happy about them.
23.
asked the Minister for the Environment the number of fatal accidents that occurred on the Swords Airport Road between Santry and Swords, including both villages, in the period between December 1978 and December 1980.
I understand that there were five fatal accidents on the N.1. between Santry and Swords, including both villages, in the period December 1978 to December 1980.
Would the Minister not consider it remarkable that on a road which is very well lighted, better than any road I know in the country, there should be five fatal accidents? What does the Minister think is the cause of the accidents on that wide, fairly straight road?
I can give a personal view from travelling on it so often. The main problem seems to be speed.
Hear, hear.
I do not want to go into any other details on it but I must say when I got the response I was surprised that there were only five. I seem to remember more.
If I had included the far side of Swords it would have been a lot more. There was a bridge there and until I got it straightened out people were killed there every week.
