asked the Minister for the Environment whether in view of the very high road traffic accident rate in this country he will consider introducing legislation to cover the following: (a) oblige back seat passengers in motor cars to wear safety belts, (b) prohibit the carring of children passengers in the front seats of motor vehicles, (c) the provision of rear and side protection guard rails on lorries and trailers to prevent vehicles from going under the lorry or trailer in a collision, (d) the compulsory training for novice motor cyclists and (e) obligatory display of a probation (P) plate to indicate an inexperienced driver.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Traffic Safety Legislation.
17.
Road accident rates are probably best compared internationally by reference to deaths per 100 million vehicle kilometres and deaths per 10,000 population. In the case of the first method of comparison, only Great Britain and Denmark within the EC have lower fatal accident rates per kilometer travelled than Ireland, while in terms of road deaths per head of population Ireland is placed behind five of the EC countries, namely, Great Britain, Denmark, Greece, Netherlands and Italy.
Regarding (a) and (b) of the question, I am concentrating attention on improving the present disappointing levels of compliance with the existing requirements of wearing of safety belts by front seat occupants of cars, station wagons and light goods vehicles. I have no immediate proposals to require the mandatory fitting or wearing of safety belts by back seat passengers but I intend to keep the matter under review.
Under existing regulations governing the compulsory wearing of safety belts by front seat occupants, it is an offence to carry children in front seats unless they are wearing means of restraint for their safety or unless no reasonable alternative seating accommodation is available for them.
Regarding (c) of the question, a decision in principle has already been announced regarding the mandatory fitting of rear and side protection guard rails on lorries and trailers. I should point out however, that side protection and guard rails on the vehicles in question are normally designed to prevent cyclists and pedestrians, rather than motor vehicles, from going under them. Some outstanding problems relating to the design and construction of side guards have yet to be resolved. In the meantime, I intend to proceed separately with a requirement for the compulsory fitting of rear under run protection devices.
Regarding (d) and (e) of the question, the scope and content of the driving test is kept under review to ensure that learner drivers understand and can make proper use of the controls of their vehicles, have an adequate knowledge of the rules of the road and can drive safely and competently accordingly by putting their skills and knowledge into practice.
I have no plans to introduce measures which would require any category of learner drivers to undergo compulsory driver training before undertaking a driving test, nor to introduce what I assume the Deputy has in mind, a restriction on drivers for a period after they have passed their driving test — such as compulsory display of a special plate which would carry with it a speed restriction.
I am aware, however, that opportunities for formal motor cycle training are not readily available to the learner motor cyclist. Ways and means of resolving the problem have been under examination for some time by the National Road Safety Association. I understand that the association are at present pursuing the question of the feasibility of having training facilities for learner motor cyclists provided within the vocational education committee structure. In addition a pilot motor cycle training course for motor cycle couriers is at present being developed by AnCO with the assistance of the association.
Has the Minister any information on the effectiveness of wearing seat belts? Has he any statistics which show that they are effective or ineffective and to what extent the law relating to the wearing of seat belts is being enforced?
I have not got the details of the effectiveness of wearing seat belts. International statistics show that front seat passengers run a greater risk of death by not wearing them. Figures from international tests are fairly significant in that respect. I have not got the figures as they refer to this country. With regard to the second part of the question I think the Deputy wanted me to give figures for deaths. The number killed in 1978 was 628. In the year 1983 the number killed amounted to 535, showing a decrease over that period of 93, or 15 per cent. Those injured numbered 9,313 in 1978 and in 1983, 7,946, a decrease of 1,367, or again 15 per cent. For the nine months of this year those killed amounted to 318 and for nine months last year 402, a decrease of 84 or 21 per cent. Those injured amounted to 5,687 and in the same nine months of last year 5,870, a decrease of 183 or 3 per cent.
The remaining questions will appear on next Tuesday's Order Paper.
Mine was one of three names that appeared on a question regarding the milk levy. I fail to understand why this was not allowed, because of the confusion.
Please, Deputy.
Such confusion is exacerbated by rash statements made by the Minister of Agriculture.
You are not in order, Deputy.
I am entitled to——
I ruled on the question.
I am entitled to know the present position so that the confusion may be cleared up.
I ruled on the question submitted by Deputy Byrne and my private secretary conveyed the reasons for the question being ruled out of order to the Deputy. I am sorry, I cannot have the matter raised here in this manner.
I would think that it could be raised because of all the confusion resulting in the matter of this levy.
The Deputy is being disorderly.
I have no intention of being disorderly.
The Deputy may not have known it when he stood up but I am telling him now that he is being disorderly and I would hope that he would act accordingly.
By nature I am a very polite person and I was asking to clear up the confusion which arises from the Minister's statement.
I am sorry. The question will go down on Private Notice in the ordinary way.