Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
309. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport his views on the road safety strategy and the progress to date to reduce road traffic to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries by 2031; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17537/23]
View answer310. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport his views on the increase in fatalities on Irish roads in 2022 by 13%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17538/23]
View answer311. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport his views on the road safety strategy and the increase in fatalities on Irish roads; the steps, if any, being taken to ensure that the target of a 50% reduction in deaths and serious injuries is met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17539/23]
View answer312. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport his views on the road safety strategy; if he is aware of concerns that it is not working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17540/23]
View answer313. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of concerns that the road safety strategy does not adequately address the rise in distracted driving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17541/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 309 to 313, inclusive, together.
The current framework for road safety is set out in the Government’s fifth Road Safety Strategy 2021 – 2030. The Road Safety Authority has overall responsibility for overseeing implementation of the Strategy and reports quarterly to the Minister of State for Transport on implementation progress. A Partnership Board of all relevant road safety agencies also meets regularly to support progress on the Strategy actions.
The Strategy’s ten-year timeframe brings it into line with a European Union-wide strategy for Road Safety. and Ireland’s Strategy will be delivered in 3 phases. We are currently in phase 1: 2021 – 2022. There are 186 Actions to be delivered ranging from delivery of feasibility studies, infrastructure investments and development of new legislation.
While good progress was being made on the Strategy actions throughout 2022, in order to urgently address the growing trend in fatalities, a number of additional measures were considered as the year progressed. This included the regulations that came into force last October to double fixed charges for those caught speeding, using a mobile phone or not wearing a seatbelt, among other offences. This is Action 30 in the Road Safety Strategy which was reprioritised and delivered 2 years earlier than planned.
The first annual review of the Road Safety Strategy was held n February 2023, with the aim of setting priorities for 2023, focusing on reversing the trend in fatalities seen in 2022 and progressing Actions in the strategy. Speed and the review of speed limits was particularly targeted. As a result of this review, a series of new priority actions for 2023 were presented to me by the road safety Partnership Board in March, which I was happy to endorse.
Successful delivery of the Strategy, and all actions to make our roads safer, are dependent upon cooperation and contributions from Government Departments, key stakeholders and road users alike.
