The latest Road Accidents Facts report, prepared and published by the National Roads Authority in 2000, shows that 74 of the 415 road accident fatalities involved goods vehicles. A copy of that report is in the Oireachtas Library.
Some 90% of freight in Ireland is carried by road. A balanced approach must be adopted, therefore, that takes into account environmental, health and safety issues while at the same time facilitating the movement of goods. Measures included in the national development plan will, on completion, significantly improve the traffic situation in both urban and rural areas.
The NDP includes an amount of €6.75 billion for the improvement of the national road network in the period 2000 to 2006. The upgrading of the network will involve the by-passing of, and the removal of through-traffic from, many towns and villages.
In the case of Dublin, the Dublin Port Tunnel when it is completed in 2005, will very significantly reduce the number of heavy goods vehicles using the city centre. A Regional Freight Study is being undertaken by the Dublin Transportation Office as part of its integrated transportation strategy for the greater Dublin area to 2016. This study will identify appropriate routes and identify measures for the better management of general goods distribution for freight trips to and from Dublin Port, Dún Laoghaire Port and Dublin Airport.
