Denis Naughten
Question:588 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the current reduction in road deaths based on the 1997 figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12330/03]
Written Answers. - Road Accidents.
Denis Naughten
Question:589 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the current reduction in serious road accident injuries based on the 1997 figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12331/03]
Denis Naughten
Question:597 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the current reduction in the number of fatal road accidents occurring during the hours of darkness, based on the 1997 figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12364/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 588, 589 and 597 together.
Statistics relating to road accidents, based on information provided by the Garda Síochána, are published by the National Roads Authority in its annual road accident facts reports. The most recent report is in respect of 2001 and that report, along with reports relating to previous years, are available in the Oireachtas Library.
Provisional figures for 2002 show that 377 people died on our roads, representing a 20% decrease on the 1997 level of 472. Significant reductions were also experienced in serious injuries. According to figures provided by the Garda Síochána, serious injuries fell from 2,182 in 1997 to 1,417 in 2001, a reduction of 35%.
Figures for 2001 indicate that the number of fatal collisions occurring between 21.00 and 03.00 was 26.4% lower than in 1997. The target set out in the strategy was achieved by the end of 2001 and represents a good improvement over 2000 when the figure was 16% below the 1997 figure.