asked the Minister for the Environment the action, if any, he proposes to take to reduce the level of fatal road accidents.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fatal Road Accidents.
59.
Road accident rates in this country compare favourably with rates in other member states of the European Community. Between 1978 and 1986 road deaths declined by 39 per cent and injuries by 17 per cent. While this steady decline was interrupted in 1987, figures for the first nine months of this year would suggest that the accident rate this year will be broadly in line with last year. I am not at all complacent about these figures, however. There are a number of areas where I have recently taken action, or which I am having examined or where action is contemplated on a community-wide basis.
On a broad front, improvements in our roads infrastructure by eliminating danger spots and reducing traffic flows through our towns and cities should have a beneficial effect on road safety and I have comprehensive proposals in this regard.
I have introduced regulations providing for the introduction of ramps and bollards, primarily to reduce excessive speeds in residential areas and I have commenced an experiment in the use of evidential breath testing, on a voluntary basis, with a view to providing the Garda Síochána with a more effective means of detecting and consequentially reducing drink driving.
Measures which I am having examined include the introduction of a new range of speed limits, which will be rigorously enforced and regulations to control the parking of heavy goods vehicles in urban areas. Measures contemplated on a community wide basis include the provision of rear seat safety belts and the extension of the compulsory testing for road worthiness of mechanically propelled vehicles.
Finally, the promotion of programmes aimed at heightening public awareness of the causes of road accidents and educating the public to preventative measures will continue to be undertaken by the National Safety Council. I intend to launch their Christmas drink-driving campaign on Wednesday next. I hope it is a big success.
Is the Minister aware that in 1986 387 people died on our roads and that the corresponding figure in 1987 was 462? The Minister is indicating a similar number will die this year. In effect, more people die on our roads than die annually in the tragic Northern Ireland conflict. Would the Minister indicate what additional sanctions he intends to introduce into the law to prevent people driving while drunk, placing the lives of every person at risk? Would he consider extending the community service order scheme so that those convicted of drunken driving are not simply fined but face the possibility of the sanction of having to undertake community service?
The last part of the Deputy's question should be directed to my colleague.
Does the Minister have a view on it?
I am obliged to deal with another question.
Up to September 1988, 333 people were killed and 5,647 people were injured, compared with 321 and 6,083 in the same period last year.
It is going up.
Of course, that figure is too high. Of the list of measures I have given, including those related to drink driving and the new evidential breath testing, I would have thought the Deputy would have been very supportive, because they could go along way towards dealing with that problem.
A reply to Question No. 60 please.
We need proper sanctions.
I am calling the last Priority Question.