Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 6

Written Answers. - Road Safety.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

72 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the progress, if any, made to date in implementing the report of the high level group on road safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10855/99]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy)

The Government strategy for road safety 1998-2002 has set out specific targets for improving road safety in Ireland, 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.

As indicated in the strategy its planning horizon is the five year period to 2002. This term was adopted so as to allow trends to be identified and monitored with reasonable accuracy, and because a number of key measures would take some time to mobilise fully. The high level group on road safety was mandated by Government to monitor the progress of the strategy and to make recommendations to the Government for updating and adjustment. This task is being carried out independently by the group who will also publish their assessments: the first of these is expected by mid-1999.

In the meantime good progress is being made with implementing the strategy in accordance with its timetable for key actions: the Garda have deployed additional mobile speed detection units; in co-operation with the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland and Shell, the National Safety Council has developed a new media campaign, titled "Crush" and targeting all road users; the National Roads Authority are on target in implementing their low cost remedial measures and traffic calming programmes on national roads; regulations were made earlier this year to widen the scope of the on-the-spot fines system to include stop and yield sign infringements, traffic light infringements, defective tyres and non-wearing of seat belts; preparations by the Garda and the Medical Bureau of Road Safety for the operation of evidential breath testing for drink driving are at an advanced stage; mandatory roadworthiness testing for cars will commence in January 2000; and significant extra resources have been assigned to my Department's driver testing service.

Certain measures will require legislative change, in particular the proposal for a penalty points system. This is now being developed by my Department. Consideration is also being given to the possibility of a legislative amendment to provide for random breath testing for drink driving, on a selective basis.