Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 January 2017
1613. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the road safety strategy now needs to be reviewed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1869/17]
View answerThe Road Safety Strategy 2013 – 2020 is currently undergoing a midterm review and a meeting of stakeholders to facilitate this review was held in Dublin Castle last November. The Road Safety Authority is currently completing a report on this review which I understand will be presented to me in the coming weeks.
There was a rise of 15% in road deaths in 2016 to 187 persons, up from the figure of 162 road deaths in 2015, which together with 2012 had the lowest number of road deaths since records began in Ireland. Last week I held a Special meeting of the Ministerial Committee on road safety, and I very much welcome the assurance by An Garda Síochána at that meeting that there will be an increase of 10% in the traffic corps during the course of 2017 resulting in more check points and greater enforcement of traffic law and that road safety enforcement is a priority in the 2017 Garda Policing Plan.
The new Road Traffic Act 2016 of December 2016 includes new road safety measures including regarding drug driving, mutual recognition of driving disqualifications with the UK and a new optional 20km/hr speed limit in built-up areas. My Department is currently drafting heads of a bill to provide that all drivers who are caught drink driving receive a mandatory disqualification from driving. I also intend to introduce legislation to allow for the publication of the names of drivers who are disqualified following a conviction in court.
I am determined that in 2017 we will reverse the trend in road deaths we saw last year in co-operation with An Garda Síochána and the Minister for Justice and Equality.
