Vol. 555 No. 3
139 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Transport his plans to educate drivers on the safe and proper use of roads; his further plans to ensure that drivers travel at speeds appropriate to the road in use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18252/02]
Education and information is recognised in the Government road safety strategy 1998-02 as being vital to forming good road safety habits. The National Safety Council was assigned the lead role by the Government strategy for road safety for the development of road user awareness and educational campaigns, targeted at the safe use of roads generally. The current council programme for public awareness is fronted by three major media campaigns on road safety awareness and education, which includes "Thump"– anti speeding, "Shame"– drink driving and "Damage"– seat belts. These are the three areas prioritised for action in the Government's road safety strategy. In addition, the council concluded an agreement with RTE television earlier this year to broadcast educational filmlets at peak viewing times in the summer-autumn 2002. Four new filmlets encompassing roundabouts, two, motorways and overtaking manoeuvres have been produced for this purpose and are designed to highlight safe driving practice in these key areas.
The National Safety Council is also responsible for the promotion of road safety to both primary and secondary school pupils, who are the adult road users of the future. The question of introducing a road safety and driver education syllabus into the schools is currently being examined by the National Council for Curriculum Assessment, NCCA, who have commissioned a study of the issue at the request of the Minister for Education and Science. In addition the council regularly targets young drivers in its public media campaigns. In addition to promotional and educational campaigns, regulations have been made which provide that first time provisional licence applicants must undergo the driver theory test before they can obtain a licence to drive. The theory test has been in place since 11 June 2001 and is designed to encourage a deeper and more structured understanding by novice drivers of information and behaviours which will assist them to become safer drivers.
Under the Road Traffic Act, 1994 the power to decide the speed limit which applies to individual roads within an area rests with the relevant road authority, in consultation with the Garda Commissioner and with the consent of the National Roads Authority in the case of national roads. Road safety is a major consideration in the application of speed limits. However, there is a general obligation that a vehicle shall not be driven at a speed exceeding that which will enable its driver to bring it to a halt within the distance which the driver can see to be clear. Enforcement of speed limits is a matter for the Garda Síochána.
Question No. 140 answered with Question No. 82.
Question No. 141 answered with Question No. 80.
Question No. 142 answered with Question No. 82.
