The National Safety Council is mandated with responsibility for road safety advertising and education, including the development of a road safety campaign. The council receives an annual allocation from the Department of Transport, which in 2004 amounted to €2.886 million. In addition, just over €1 million was provided to the agency specifically for the purpose of developing a public information campaign for the introduction of a revised speed limit structure, expressed in metric values, on 20 January this year. In addition to Exchequer funding, the National Safety Council receives funding from the Irish Insurance Federation, and funding is also received from sponsorship sources.
My Department has provided the financial support necessary for the production and presentation of some of the most effective public awareness campaigns ever mounted in relation to road safety, many of which have received international recognition for their quality and focus.
Unfortunately, there was a higher number of road deaths in 2004 than in the previous year, in which we experienced the lowest number of road deaths in 40 years. The increase experienced in 2004 is a cause for concern. To achieve a reduction in road deaths and injuries, an integrated approach involving a range of different measures is required and no one measure alone can achieve the desired result. The new Road Safety Strategy 2004-2006 outlines a range of issues that it is intended will be pursued over the period in question. In overall terms, measures will focus on the areas of education, enforcement, engineering and legislation and will target the key areas of speeding, driving while intoxicated and seat-belt wearing.