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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Jun 1992

Vol. 421 No. 4

Written Answers. - Road Death Statistics.

Ivan Yates

Question:

232 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline the statistics for road deaths so far this year and the way in which this compares with each of the last five years; if any detailed analysis has been carried out of such road deaths arising from accidents; and if he will further outline his proposals to reduce same.

Provisional Garda returns show that, in the period January to April 1992, 143 people were killed in road accidents on Irish roads compared with 116 in 1991, 153 in 1990, 147 in 1989, 129 in 1988, and 126 in 1987.

The report "Road Accident Facts", which is prepared and published by the Environmental Research Unit sets out definitive road accident statistics on an annual basis. These publications, which are based on reports submitted by the Garda Síochána, provide detailed analysis and commentary on the causes of road accidents generally. The report for 1991 will be published in the autumn.

A major road safety campaign, originally launched in September 1990, is being implemented on my behalf by the National Safety Council. Drink driving and excessive speeding are recognised as significant factors in road accident fatalities and injuries and the main focus of the road safety campaign is, therefore, to achieve better public awareness of the dangers in these areas.
The road safety campaign includes an advertising-promotion campaign and more enforcement action by the Garda, particularly in relation to speed and drink driving.
Measures are also being included in a new Road Traffic Bill to make the roads safer. The main target of the Bill will be drink driving but I intend that the Bill will also include other enforcement provisions, such as a requirement to carry driving licences at all times when driving, impoundment of vehicles, and increased disqualification periods for certain offences.
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