asked the Minister for the Environment the reason the proportion of motorcycle fatalities on Irish roads has been steadily increasing since 1978, despite the compulsory wearing of helmets, the voluntary use of daytime headlights and the drop in the sale of motor cycles; and if he has considered recent research (details supplied) which suggests that the use of daytime headlights may be contributing to motorcycle accidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Motorcycle Fatalities.
13.
During the period 1978 to 1988, the number of motorcyclists killed in road accidents in Ireland, expressed as a proportion of total road fatalities, was as follows: 1978, 9.2 per cent; 1979, 7.5 per cent; 1980, 8.5 per cent; 1981, 10.8 per cent; 1982, 11.3 per cent; 1983, 11.4 per cent; 1984, 12.7 per cent; 1985, 12.2 per cent; 1986, 12.9 per cent; 1987, 15.2 per cent and 1988, 11.4 per cent.
The rate of motorcycle fatalities is disproportionately high. In 1987, this rate was broadly in line with the average in EC member states. In Ireland, there was a welcome drop in the number of such fatalities from 70 in 1987 to an estimated 53 in 1988.
The research to which the Deputy refers was carried out in April-May 1985. While the research was worthwhile, it was not conclusive. The daytime use of motor cycle headlights is compulsory in a number of countries including Denmark, France, Norway, Sweden and some federal states in the USA. The position relating to the voluntary and compulsory use of such headlights during the daytime will be kept under review, in consultation with the organisations concerned.
The reasons for the high number of motor cycle fatalities are not clear. In the interests of reducing the rate of such fatalities, I announced the following two measures on 9 November 1989 in conjunction with the introduction of a Euro-style driving licence in Ireland: (1) a motorcyclist with a provisional licence must not carry a passenger, (2) a person must now spend at least two years driving a motorcycle of up to 125cc capacity with a full licence before being permitted to hold a licence for a more powerful motorcycle.
Would the Minister not agree that in order to take action to reduce the level of fatalities among motor cyclists it is necessary to be clear about the causes of motorcycle accidents? Would he not accept that, as the number of motorcycle sales has halved since 1975 and as helmets have now become compulsory, there are grounds for believing that the use of daytime headlights, as is suggested in the research carried out in Trinity College, may be contributing to the level of accidents and fatalities and would he agree——
This is becoming a very long question.
I am coming near the end.
Please do.
——to support the campaign which has been initiated by the Irish Bikers' Action Group, who represent motorcyclists, to reduce the use of daylight headlights by motorcyclists?
I would be happy to do anything that would lead to a reduction in the type of horrific accidents that occur in motorcycle accidents. We will have to accept that motorcyclists are a very high risk category of road user. Relative to their numbers, they are involved in a disproportionately high level of fatal road accidents. The number of motorcyclists constitutes about 3 per cent of the total number of licensed vehicles, some 25,000 out of 980,000 in all, yet they accounted for 11.4 per cent of all road deaths in 1988 and 15.2 per cent in 1987. The figures were 31,000 in 1987 which means there has been a reduction. We have a very high record by comparison with other EC member states in terms of motorcycles alone. I would be happy to discuss the matter quite openly either with the Deputy or with the Irish motorcyclists association or to do anything that would help in any way to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities involving motorcyclists. There was nothing conclusive in the report to which I referred today. The measures I have mentioned will be of some assistance and if the Deputy wishes to raise the issue later I will be happy to do what I can.