Vol. 495 No. 1
46 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has brought the recommendations of the high level group on road safety to Government; the proposals requiring legislation and which can be implemented without legislation; the timetable, if any, set for the implementation of these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19355/98]
The Government Strategy for Road Safety 1998-2002 was announced in July 1998. It represents the first formal and comprehensive plan of its kind to be developed in Ireland. The strategy acknowledges the present unsatisfactory and unacceptable level of road accidents in Ireland. It sets out specific targets for improving this situation, notably the objective of reducing deaths and serious injuries by at least 20 per cent by 2002. This target will be achieved by a number of key new initiatives and by enhancing and intensifying existing road safety measures. In general, the actions envisaged by the strategy can be mobilised without new legislation, but will need good operational support from the agencies concerned, and in many cases from the public.
A timetable for key actions has been set out in an appendix to the strategy. Certain measures will require legislative change, in particular the proposal for a penalty points system which is now being developed by my Department. In accordance with the strategy, consideration is also being given to the possibility of a legislative amendment to provide for random breath testing on a selective basis.
