Paul Kehoe
Question:103 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport his plans to implement a new road safety strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13713/03]
Written Answers. - Road Safety.
Bernard Allen
Question:115 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Transport his plans to complete the implementation of the existing road safety strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13714/03]
Mary Upton
Question:125 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Transport if he has received the report of the high level group on a new road safety strategy for 2003 to 2005; when it is intended to publish the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13697/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 103, 115 and 125 together.
The programme for Government states that a three-year road safety strategy will be developed to target speeding, drink driving, seat belt wearing and pedestrian safety and to reduce deaths and injuries. The high level group on road safety has been tasked with the preparation of the new strategy. The preparation of the new strategy will take account of the achievements in meeting the targets set in the Road to Safety strategy between 1998 and 2002 and will involve a comprehensive review of that strategy and the evolving developments in relation to the proposed EU third road safety action plan. Preparation of the new strategy is well advanced and I expect to bring specific proposals to Government later this year.
Pending the introduction of a new strategy, my Department and the agencies concerned with the implementation of road safety measures are ensuring that the successful measures brought forward in Road to Safety continue to be implemented. So far this year we have witnessed a further reduction in road crash fatalities. Provisional figures to 12 May 2003 show 120 road deaths compared to 141 on the same date last year.