Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 19 Mar 1986

Vol. 364 No. 10

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Road Safety Year.

12.

Mr. E. O'Keeffe

asked the Minister for the Environment his plans for this country's participation in the European road safety year.

Mr. F. O'Brien

The final resolution adopted by the EC Transport Council in November 1985 on Road Safety Year 1986 called for programmes of action in each member state in the area of community awareness, legislation and research. A general outline of Ireland's plans for Road Safety Year was given in a press statement issued by my predecessor on 5 February 1986.

In so far as the community awareness aspect is concerned, the major role is being undertaken by the National Road Safety Association. The association's overall programme for 1986, which was developed in consultation with and is funded mainly by my Department, will have a particular Road Safety Year dimension, including the use of the special EC Road Safety Year logo and the common poster. National publicity will feature the themes selected by the EC as appropriate to the year—seat belts, drink/driving, speed, child safety and safety of two-wheeled vehicles.

Specific programmes are being undertaken by the association to mark the year. The association's major undertaking in this respect is a community project scheme. This scheme, which will operate in partnership with local authorities, will involve local community-based groups throughout the country in road safety projects from now right through to September. Full details of the NRSA community project scheme are incorporated in a special brochure produced by the association which has already been distributed to local authority road safety officers. It is intended that the local projects will feature EC themes for Road Safety Year with special emphasis on seat belts. I have arranged for a number of copies of the brochure to be placed in the Dáil Library for the information of Deputies.

The European Commission, on the basis of information supplied by member states, is publishing a "calendar of events" updated from time to time, indicating the various programmes, with dates and locations, being undertaken by individual member states during the year. I propose to circulate in the Official Report details of Ireland's "calendar of events", to the extent determined so far, which has been transmitted to the European Commission. While the lead role is being played by the NRSA in the community awareness aspect of the year, the opportunity has been taken to include in the calendar known events sponsored by other organisations which have a Road Safety Year dimension.

In the area of legislation, 1986 will also see developments. Already in force since the beginning of the year are compulsory fitting of laminated windscreens in new cars, rear underrun devices, side guardrails and "long vehicle" signs for goods vehicles. Later this year I will be bringing a Road Traffic Bill before the House which will provide, in particular, for the reduction of the present blood alcohol limit of 100 milligrammes to 80 milligrammes.

In the area of road safety research, An Foras Forbartha will maintain their normal programme of road safety research. In addition, however, they will produce an extensive version of their annual "Road Accident Facts" in December next to mark Road Safety Year.

Following is the detailed "calendar of events":

EUROPEAN ROAD SAFETY YEAR 1986 (ERSY)

Community Awareness Programme

IRELAND

Calendar of Events

Date(s)	Description/Title	Place
MAJOR PROJECT FOR ROAD SAFETY YEAR
March-September (inclusive)	Community Project Scheme promoted by National Road Safety Association in partnership with local authorities, under which local community groups will carry out road safety projects. These will feature EEC themes for the Year with special emphasis on seat belts.	Local centres throughout country.
OTHER EVENTS
February 5	Press statement issued by Minister for the Environment announcing broad outline of programme for year.	Dublin.
February-September	Promotion of reflectorised belts at special price for pedal cyclists and motor cyclists—sponsored by Beecham's (Ireland) Ltd. (Macleans toothpaste).	National promotion through retail outlets throughout country. (supermarkets etc.).
February-December	Free comprehensive car inspection scheme. Supply at cost and free fitting of child safety seats in cars. (Sponsored by Ford Motor Co.).	Available at Ford dealer garages at 60 locations throughout country.
February 25-March 2	Society of Irish Motor Industry Irish Motor Show—special road safety exhibition by National Road Safety Association.	Dublin.
March 17	St. Patrick's Day Parades. ERSY “floats”.	Various local centres.
March 26	NRSA/Ever-Ready National Final Safe Cycling Competition for children.	Dublin.
April	Launch of special ERSY poster by NRSA.	Dublin.
April	Launch of new road safety text/project book for primary schools (published by Folens Ltd.).	Dublin.
April 18	Final of Dublin Road Safety Council road safety video competition for post-primary schools.	Dublin.
April 24	Confederation of Irish Industry (Transport and Distribution Division) Conference on road safety issues.	Dublin.
May 5-15	NRSA/PMPA Insurance Co. Junior School Warden competition (Regional finals).	Ballybay
	Castlerea
	Tullamore
		Carlow
		Carrick-on-Suir
		Millstreet
		Nenagh
May 15-16	Motor Schools Association of Ireland—2nd Annual Conference.	Kilkenny
May 26/31	Special intensive seat belt promotion project (NRSA/Gardai/An Foras Forbartha).	Kilkenny and surrounding area.
June 4	Institution of Engineers of Ireland—Conference on road safety issues.	Dublin.
June 11	NRSA/PMPA Insurance Co. Junior School Warden Competition (National final).	Dublin.
July	NRSA/Volvo Car Driver of the Year Competition (National final).	Dublin
July	Release of special television filmlets on ERSY themes produced by NRSA.	—
September	Distribution by NRSA to primary schools of programme for basic road safety instruction for children (“Safe Cross Code”).	Primary schools throughout country.
October 4	Safe Car Driving Competition—Republic of Ireland v Northern Ireland (NRSA/Road Safety Council of Northern Ireland).	Newcastle, Co. Down.
October 9-10	NRSA/Volvo Road Safety Seminar “Road safety as a cost cutting exercise”.	Dublin.
November	NRSA Winter pedestrian visibility at night campaign commences.	National promotion.
November	Final judging of NRSA/3M Company Traffic Engineering Competition for local authority engineers (best solution to road safety hazard through use of signs/markings).	Dublin.
December	NRSA Christmas drink/drive campaign.	National promotion.
December	Issue of extensive annual “Road Accident Facts” report by An Foras Forbartha.	Dublin.