Written Answers. - Road Safety.
Cecilia Keaveney
Question:
160
Cecilia Keaveney
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
his views on the comments of the chairman of the National Safety Council which were published recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25288/02]
The statistics in relation to arrests for drink driving offences for the years 1997 to 2001 are set out in the following table:
|
1997
|
7,541
|
|
1998
|
8,707
|
|
1999
|
9,570
|
|
2000
|
10,433
|
|
2001
|
12,841
|
It is obvious from these figures that drink driving continues to present a major challenge. I agree with the chairman of the National Safety Council that we still have a problem with drivers who see fit to risk their own lives, and those of others, by engaging in drinking and driving. However, the statistics available to me strongly indicate that the increased level of enforcement by An Garda Síochána over recent years is having a positive effect upon road casualties.
The annual report of An Garda Síochána for 2001 shows that the 12,841 arrests made in 2001 represented a 70% increase over the number recorded in 1997, and 23% higher than the corresponding figure for 2000. Almost 90% of the samples analysed were over the legal limit.
Over the same period, road fatalities have consistently fallen in number. In 1997, 472 fatalities were recorded. The number of road deaths in 2001 was 411, representing a 13% decrease. There were 1,242 serious injuries on our roads in 2001, representing a decrease of 43% on the 1997 levels.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that they do not consider that there is any lack of resources or limitations in legislation which hinder the enforcement capability of the Garda Síochána.
The House will be aware that there are a range of measures in the national road safety strategy to address the problem of road fatalities, including drink related facilities, which are being implemented. It is clear that the problem of drink driving cannot be solved solely by Garda enforcement and detection, but that there must also be changes in social attitudes and behaviour.
