Vol. 249 No. 12
asked the Minister for Local Government what he intends to do to bring about a greater awareness of the need for safety to the general public in view of the appalling increase in the number of people killed on our roads in the first ten months of this year, by 58 to 425, as compared with the same period last year.
42.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will comment on the death toll on our roads in view of the recent increased fatal accident figures; and what he proposes to do about the matter.
I propose, with your permission a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 41 and 42 together.
I share the concern of both Deputies about the substantial increase in road deaths for the first ten months of this year as indicated by provisional figures issued by the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána. Up to the end of July last, there had been no significant increase in fatal accidents as compared with the previous year. In the three months of August, September and October, however, the figures published show substantial increases in each month over the corresponding months in 1969.
Accident figures for any particular month will, from time to time, rise to a new peak. In the past this has usually been followed by a drop in a succeeding month. The pattern of consistent and substantial increases in the last three months has, however, been so disturbing that I have requested An Foras Forbartha to carry out a survey in depth of fatal accidents which occurred in the months of August, September and October with particular reference to fatal accidents on apparently good stretches of straight road.
On the wider issue, An Foras Forbartha are carrying out a detailed study of high accident locations on the main road network. The results of the first part of this study will be available early next year, providing an analysis of all accidents in 1968 and 1969 on the most important and heavily trafficked 3,000 miles of our road network and pin-pointing high accident locations. This will enable steps to be taken to apply remedial measures calculated to have maximum possible effect.
My Department, in conjunction with other agencies, including the Safety First Association, are working incessantly to make people aware of the need for better road behaviour and of their responsibilities towards themselves and other road users. A considerable amount of road safety literature is produced by my Department and projects in hand include the production of a special booklet for motor cyclists and a revised edition of the Rules of the Road. Television, radio, the cinemas and the newspapers are constantly being used to publicise various aspects of road safety promotion.
In recent months new safety regulations for tractors and heavy vehicles were introduced and these are soon to be followed by regulations dealing with the compulsory fitting of seat belts in cars, station wagons and light vans. Each new measure is accompanied by an extensive publicity campaign. In addition, special steps are being taken to spread the road safety message through the schools. Road safety officers appointed by the Safety First Association already cover several regions. A further development will take place on 1st January next when a number of local authorities outside these regions will for the first time appoint road safety officers for their areas.
I can assure the Deputies that so far as I and my Department are concerned no effort is being spared in increasing public awareness of the road accident problem, but I must point out that official action by itself cannot compensate for the degree of recklessness and irresponsibility which is so evident on our roads. There is no escaping the fact that the safety of the individual lies mainly in his own hands.
We are now approaching what was last year our worst month for road deaths—December. I earnestly appeal to all road users, whether they are walking, cycling or driving, to learn the lesson so tragically taught over the past few months and to use the roads with care for themselves, a thought for the rights of others and above all with courtesy.
Does the Minister agree that the standard of driving in this country is appallingly low? If so, will he have published a driving manual, such as that published by the British Ministry of Transport, in order to educate the driving public of this country?
Many measures have been taken to try to improve the standard of driving. The driving test is one of the most recent measures taken. If there is anything further I can do to bring about a high standard among drivers on our roads in order to reduce accidents I will certainly do it.
Would the Minister further agree that the failure of the Department of Justice and the medical profession to have the breathalyser test costs agreed to has aggravated the position?
That would be a matter for another Minister.
