Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 13 Nov 2001

Vol. 543 No. 5

Written Answers. - Road Traffic Accidents.

Denis Naughten

Question:

446 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people killed in road accidents while driving a vehicle in each of the years from 1997 to 2001; the number of those whose blood alcohol level was over the legal limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27719/01]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

My Department does not maintain detailed statistics in relation to road accidents. Details on all road accidents are supplied by the National Roads Authority who publish an annual report, Road Accident Facts, Ireland. The latest published report deals with 1999. I am informed by the Garda authorities that details on number of drivers of vehicles killed for the period referred to by the Deputy are set out in the following tabular statement.

Year	Number of drivers fatally injured
1997	207
1998	213
1999	220
2000	221
2001 (up to 7 November)	174

I am further informed by the Garda authorities that the number of those drivers whose blood alcohol level was over the legal limit is not known, as toxicology examinations in respect of blood alcohol levels are carried out at the discretion of each coroner and the results may not be communicated to the Garda Síochána.