I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 44 together.
The Government Strategy for Road Safety 1998-2002 prioritises a systematic and co-ordinated set of measures for preventing and reducing road accidents. It establishes quantified targets for achieving its objectives, the principal of which is to reduce road deaths and serious injuries each by at least 20% by 2002 relative to 1997. Priority is accorded by the strategy to actions targeted at speeding, alcohol and seat belt wearing. A timetable for key actions in these and other areas is also set out.
The Government strategy is monitored by the high level group on road safety whose first progress report in July 1999, inter alia, details progress with these key actions. Copies of that report were circulated to all Deputies and are also available in the Library. A second progress report, incorporating updated information on key actions, will be published next month.
Good progress has been made in the first two years of the strategy's operation towards the pri mary target of reducing road deaths and serious injuries each by at least 20% by 2002. By end 1999, road deaths had been reduced by nearly 13% relative to 1997 and serious injuries from road accidents had been reduced by over 15%.
Progress is also ahead of target in providing low cost accident measures on the national road network with nearly 300 schemes now likely to be completed by end 2000. On the other hand, recent NRA surveys have shown that considerable improvement will be needed in order to achieve road safety targets for reduction of speeding and increase in seat belt wearing.
Garda enforcement activity has been intensified and improved in accordance with the road safety strategy. Over 170,000 on-the-spot fines issued in relation to speeding offences in 1999, and more than 70,000 in the first four months of this year. Fixed speed cameras are in operation in the Dublin and eastern regions. More than 50,000 on-the-spot fines have been issued for non-wearing of seat belts since the introduction of this measure in July 1999.
The road safety strategy envisages a penalty points system as a key measure in support of road safety enforcement. The scheme of a new road traffic Bill is being drafted in my Department with the principal purpose of providing for this penalty points system. However, the design of the system has, as stated in the strategy, required careful consideration because of the exclusive constitutional role of the Irish courts in the administration of justice. Following protracted examination of this legal issue, I expect to be in a position to submit legislative proposals to Government before the summer recess with a view to the earliest possible publication of a Bill after that date. I am referring to the Government's recess before the end of July.