Vol. 510 No. 6
294 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the reason the Government's proposals in relation to the issue of deaths and injuries which have occurred on roads have still to be implemented; the number of legislative initiatives which were part of the original strategy that have yet to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23493/99]
The Government Strategy for Road Safety 1998-2002 has set out a range of policies and measures designed to reduce road deaths and serious injuries each by at least 20 per cent by 2002 relative to 1997. The first progress report of the high level group on road safety was published in July 1999 and details progress with implementing the strategy. Copies of that report have been circulated to all Deputies and are also available in the Oireachtas Library.
The report notes good progress towards the primary strategy target in the first year: 3 per cent less people died on the roads in 1998 than in 1997; 12 per cent less people were seriously injured in 1998 than in 1997: this represents the lowest number of serious injuries for this decade and constitutes significant progress towards the five year target of at least a 20 per cent reduction. More recent provisional data from Garda Síochána indicate that there were 361 road deaths in the first ten months of 1999 compared to 372 in the same period in 1998.
Progress towards the supporting targets of the strategy has also been made. Car and truck speeds were slightly down; there were less fatal accidents in the night-time hours, commonly drink related; and engineering measures to reduce accidents have been implemented at 93 national road locations. The report also describes progress on key strategy actions scheduled for 1998 and 1999. The use of automatic speed detection systems has been extended and preparations were well advanced for the commissioning of fixed speed cameras; evidential breath testing for drink driving, scheduled to commence in October 1999, commenced this month; and on-the-spot fines have been extended to non-wearing of seat belts and a range of other road safety related offences.
Certain strategy measures will require legislative change, in particular the proposal for a penalty points system. A new road traffic Bill is being drafted in my Department to provide for these changes. 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. The scheme of the Bill will be brought before Government at the earliest possible date with a view to publication by mid-2000.
