Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 February 2017
299. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his Department's legislative proposals to reduce the 64% of fatal road accidents that are identified as not being associated with alcohol. [7962/17]
View answerRoad safety is under constant review by my Department in conjunction with the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána, to inform the development of new legislation and other appropriate measures.
The main causes of fatal road traffic collisions are alcohol and excessive speed or a combination of both. I believe that, given the high incidence of alcohol-related road deaths, that it is appropriate that road collisions, and the resulting fatalities and serious injuries associated with alcohol-related road collisions are currently receiving priority.
The Road Traffic Act 2016 contains a number of legislative measures dealing with drug driving; written off vehicles; mutual recognition of driving disqualifications between Ireland and the UK; uninsured drivers; and a new optional 20km/h speed limit in built-up areas, among other measures. The immediate priority is to have the legislative provisions of the 2016 Act commenced.
During the passage of the Road Traffic Act 2016 through the Houses of the Oireachtas, the Road Safety Authority submitted proposals for "naming and shaming" disqualified drivers. This is considered to be an effective tool in dealing with the issue of drivers continuing to drive following a disqualification. While it was not possible to accommodate the necessary provisions in that Act, I hope to bring proposals on this in the forthcoming Road Safety Authority Bill, which is currently being developed by my Departmental officials.
I believe that the legislative measures I have proposed are balanced, and that together with RSA road safety campaigns in 2017 regarding alcohol and drug driving, speeding, distracted driving/use of mobile phones, and seat-belt wearing, combined with greater enforcement by An Garda Síochána, will have an impact on road safety in 2017 and beyond.
