John Gormley
Question:55 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the current strategy in relation to reducing road traffic deaths. [29552/00]
Written Answers. - Road Traffic Accidents.
Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Question:60 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when legislation to provide for a penalty points system for road traffic offences will be published; if the Bill will be published before the end of 2000, as indicated to Dáil Éireann on 8 November 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29444/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 60 together.
The Government Strategy for Road Safety 1998-2002 has prioritised 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 published in July 1999 and second progress report published in August 2000 detail progress with key actions. Copies of both reports have been circulated to all Deputies and are also available in the Oireachtas Library.
Good progress has been made in the first two years of the strategy period in relation to its primary targets. 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 extending low cost accident measures across the national road network, with nearly 300 schemes now likely to be completed by the 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 the reduction of speeding and an increase in seat belt wearing.
Garda enforcement activity has been intensified and improved in accordance with the Road Safety Strategy. Over 175,000 on-the-spot fines issues in relation to speeding offences in 1999, and more than 160,000 up to mid-September this year. Fixed speed cameras are in operation on four of the main national routes out of Dublin and on the M50. Speed limit enforcement is also being supported by an increase in mobile speed detection, the use of laser speed detection as well as in-car and motorcycle cameras. Nearly 70,000 on-the-spot fines have been issued for non-wearing of seat belts since the introduction of this measure in July 1999. Evidential breath testing is being progressively introduced in relation to drink driving enforcement.
The road safety strategy envisages a penalty points system as a key measure in support of road safety enforcement. The Government approved the drafting of legislation necessary for this measure on 26 July 2000. 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. The Bill will also provide for some elements of random breath testing and the further refinement of the legal framework for the detection and processing of offences. The drafting of the Bill is now proceeding as a matter of urgency with a view to its publication as early as possible in the new year.