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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Jan 2000

Vol. 513 No. 1

Written Answers. - Road Safety.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

102 Mr. Howlin 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. [1581/00]

The first progress report of the high level group on road safety, was published in July 1999 and details progress with implementing the Government Strategy for Road Safety 1998-2002. Copies of the progress report have been circulated to all Deputies and are also available in the Oireachtas Library.

The report notes good progress in 1998-99 towards the primary target of the road safety strategy of reducing road deaths and serious injuries each by at least 20% by 2002: 3% fewer people died on the roads in 1998 than in 1997; 12% fewer people were seriously injured in 1998 than in 1997: this represents the lowest number of serious injuries for the last decade and constitutes significant progress towards the five year target of at least 20% reduction.

More recent provisional data from an Garda Síochána indicate that there were 413 road deaths in 1999 compared with 458 in 1998. This would represent a reduction of some 13% in road deaths relative to 1997 in the second full year of operation of the strategy.

Progress towards the supporting targets of the Government strategy has also been made: car and truck speeds were slightly down; there were fewer fatal accidents in the night-time hours (commonly drink related); engineering measures to reduce accidents were implemented at 93 national road locations in 1998.
The report also describes progress on key strategy actions scheduled for early implementation, including the use of automatic speed detection systems, the introduction of evidential breath testing for drink driving and the extension of on-the-spot fines. Measures to prepare for, and/or give effect to those actions, are now well under way.
In addition, the scheme of a new Road Traffic Bill is being drafted in my Department to provide for a penalty points system. This will be brought before Government shortly with a view to publication of the Bill by mid 2000.
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