Denis Naughten
Question:579 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport when he intends to implement the application of developments in the field of telematics to road safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12320/03]
Written Answers. - Road Safety.
The Government's strategy on road safety recognises that telematics, or intelligent transport systems, ITS, has great potential to improve the overall management of transportation, including road safety. It is Government policy that the relevant Irish transport authorities should support the application of developments in the field of ITS to road safety, drawing on international work in this field.
Practical examples of the application of ITS in Ireland include the real-time parking information signs in Dublin and the variable information signs on the approaches to Kildare. The introduction of variable signage on the M50 for traffic management and road safety purposes is also well advanced.
ITS is an unfolding concept and further progress in exploiting it, particularly for road safety purposes, will depend on the pace and scope of developments in the field. Accordingly, my Department has recently joined ERTICO, which is a European body concerned with the promotion of telematics on road and public transport in Europe which will help inform future developments in Ireland. My Department is also considering the role of telematics as part of a future transport research programme. The output from a conference in Dublin last November organised by Dublin City Council in association with the Department of the Environment and Local Government, the National Roads Authority, Trinity College Dublin and my Department on ITS has been useful in this regard.
I understand that the OECD is preparing to publish the report of a working group on using technology to improve road safety. This is expected to address the benefits and challenges of deploying new technology for road safety purposes and to make recommendations so that governments can be begin the process of exploiting ITS for such purposes. I will be looking carefully at the recommendations in that light.
Denis Naughten
Question:580 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport when he commenced the review of speed limits; when he intends to have this review completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12322/03]
A comprehensive review of speed limits was launched in January 2003. A broadly-based working group has been established to carry out this review and it has commenced its consideration of this complex subject. It is intended that the review will be completed this summer.
Denis Naughten
Question:581 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the number of speed surveys completed by the NRA in the past five years; the date of the last such survey; the proposed date for the completion of the next survey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12323/03]
Issues relating to speed surveys on national roads are a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA. However, the authority carried out speed surveys on inter-urban sections of national routes in 1997 which showed widespread exceeding of speed limits, with 40% of cars exceeding the 60 miles per hour speed limit and 26% exceeding the 70 miles per hour motorway limit.
A national speed survey of "free speeds" was also carried out by the NRA in 1999 and published in 2000. The results of those surveys indicate that 51% of cars exceed the general speed limit of 60 miles per hour on two lane national primary routes, with 13% in excess of 70 miles per hour.
The NRA has subsequently carried out a sample "free speed" survey based on a sub-set of the original sites from the 1999 survey, and has also carried out a comprehensive speed survey, the results of which will be available shortly. Preliminary indications from this survey show that improvements have been made on speeding on rural roads.
Over the past five years, two seat-belt surveys have been carried out by the National Roads Authority, in 1999 and 2002, and a third survey is being undertaken this summer. The survey carried out in 1999 showed that driver seat-belt wearing rate increased marginally from 51% to 55% over the eight year period 1991 to 1999. The survey also showed that male driver wearing rates declined slightly from 49% to 48% and female driver wearing rates increased from 61% in 1991 to 68% in 1999. The wearing rates for rear seat passengers in 1999 was 20%.
The NRA carried out a further comprehensive seat-belt survey last year and, while the report is not yet published, preliminary indications show that substantial progress has been made on seat-belt wearing. The results of this survey will be available shortly.
Denis Naughten
Question:582 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport when he intends to introduce random breath-testing and reduce the BAC to 50 mg and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12324/03]
The Road Traffic Act 2002 extends the grounds on which a member of the Garda Síochána may require a driver to provide a preliminary breath specimen to include situations where a driver is involved in a road accident or where the Garda considers that a road traffic offence has been committed. This is in addition to the current grounds where the Garda has formed an opinion that a driver has consumed alcohol.
The steps being taken in the Act represent a move towards random breath testing, by extending the grounds on which a member of the Garda can request a preliminary breath specimen, but maintain an efficient use of resources. This is an effective and targeted manner in which we can use the resources available to us and equates to standard practice in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.The commencement of section 10 of the Road Traffic Act 2002 is being considered in consultation with the Garda, the Medical Bureau of Road Safety and the Attorney General's office.
Policy on drink-driving was set out in the Government's road safety strategy 1998 to 2002 which stated clearly that a move towards unqualified random breath testing is not envisaged within the period of the strategy given its possible negative implications for wider public attitudes to and co-operation with the Garda. That strategy also provided for the continued application of the current blood alcohol level of 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, and the priority was to improve compliance with this requirement rather than to move to new limits.
That strategy has now completed its term and the Government is committed to the development of a new road safety strategy that will apply for the next three years. The new strategy, which is being prepared by the high level group on road safety, will give consideration to the best approach to future policy on drink-driving.
Denis Naughten
Question:583 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has carried out a review of the international developments in drug testing of those in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle; if so, the conclusions drawn from this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12325/03]
The Government strategy on road safety 1998 to 2002 recognised that the influence of drugs on driving behaviour is an issue of increasing concern. Identification of the presence of drugs is however more complex than for alcohol. Consequently, considerably more work is needed to develop a more detailed regulatory regime in relation to drugs and driving. A number of research programmes are being carried out internationally in this area and the strategy commits the Government to monitoring and assessing these developments.
The Medical Bureau of Road Safety has participated in an international survey relating to the position with drug driving in 24 European countries. The results indicate that in almost all countries blood and urine samples are collected at the police station or hospital for the purposes of drug testing.
The MBRS is aware that both urine and saliva screening devices have been developed for roadside drug testing. Urine is not, however, considered to be suitable for roadside drug testing. Saliva testing devices are in prototype stages. The MBRS is keeping abreast of developments internationally in this area.
Research on drugs and driving in Ireland has been carried out by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety, MBRS, through the analysis of blood and urine specimens for the presence of drugs. This analysis by the MBRS sought to identify trends in the types of drugs being taken, their combination with alcohol and the extent of polydrug use. Further statistical analysis of the data is being undertaken by the MBRS, and its report will be issued in 2003.
While it is too early to draw definitive conclusions, the research programme when completed will, along with other international analysis and research in this area, inform development of better testing methods for the presence of drugs, changes in enforcement practice and procedures and possibly changes to existing legislation.
Question No. 584 answered with Question No. 576.