asked the Minister for the Environment the number of people injured and killed in road accidents in the Christmas period as compared with the average for the rest of the year; and if he has any initiatives aimed at improving the situation this Christmas.
Written Answers. - Christmas Road Accident Statistics.
38.
Details of road accidents on a month by month basis are published annually by An Foras Forbartha in the report "Road Accidents Facts", copies of which are available in the Dáil Library. The 1984 report shows that, in December 1984, the number of persons killed was 39 and the number injured 715. This compares with a monthly average for the rest of the year of 39 killed and 681 injured. In recent years, there has been a downward trend in annual road casualties, particularly fatalities. Between 1978 and 1984, despite an 11 per cent increase in the number of vehicles licensed, annual road deaths have fallen by 26 per cent.
The improvement in recent December figures has, however, been much more marked. In December 1984, the number of persons killed was 39, compared with 76 in December 1978. I am satisfied that this improvement reflects the considerable efforts of the Garda Síochána and the National Road Safety Association in the areas of enforcement and publicity, respectively, particularly on the drink/ driving campaign aspect. This year is no exception. The NRSA's drink/driving campaign for Christmas and the New Year, employing both radio and television advertising, is now in full swing to back up increased enforcement by the Garda Síochána. I would hope that the campaign which has as its slogan "When you go out to celebrate this Christmas leave the car at home — it can be a killer with drink" will have the full support of Deputies.