Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 November 2013
19. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the road safety performance for the year to date; the measures the National Roads Authority is considering to improve road safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46950/13]
View answerAfter a record low in the number of road deaths in 2012 and a year-on-year reduction in each of the previous seven years, it appears as if there will be an increase in the number of road fatalities this year and this is of great concern to me. I am aware that the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the Gardaí meet regularly to discuss the causes of road accidents and the steps necessary to address the issues arising.
Earlier this year I launched the Road Safety Strategy 2013 – 2020, which sets out 144 Actions that will improve road safety. Each Action has a target date for implementation by identified agencies and Government Departments in the period up to 2020.
The RSA has overall responsibility for the Strategy and I have established a Committee to oversee implementation of the Strategy with relevant Ministers, senior Department and Agency officials, and An Garda Siochana represented. This Committee, which I chair, met as recently as last Monday. Every effort is being made to focus the attention of all road users on relevant issues including excessive speed, failure to wear seat belts and driving under the influence of intoxicants.
The National Roads Authority (NRA) was an active participant in developing the Road Safety Strategy and the Strategy is directly feeding into the NRA’s work programme for next year and subsequent years. The Actions associated with the NRA include implementation of the EU Road Infrastructure Safety Management Directive on all national roads, implementation of 150 minor realignment schemes on the national road network over the lifetime of the Strategy, a reduction in the number of national access points on the road network and pavement condition improvement.
