I propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 199 together.
"Road Accident Facts 1995", published by the National Roads Authority, indicates that County Wexford has an accident rate above the national average — 2.5 accidents per 1,000 population, compared to 2.3 nationally. It is also a fact that, nationally, motorcyclists account for a disproportionately high level of all road accident fatalities — 13 per cent in 1995. I understand that a recent report to Wexford County Council provided information about road accidents in the county and highlighted a high rate of motorcycle accidents.
When I launched a new national road safety campaign in May this year, I placed great emphasis on ensuring that all agencies involved should work together to increase the effectiveness of their enforcement, education, engineering and encouragement measures. I took the initiative of inviting local authorities to become more actively involved in road safety by establishing local working groups which could provide a forum for co-operation and co-ordination between all involved at local level including local authorities, gardaí, health professionals and teachers. Local groups of this kind would be well placed to address local trends and variations in accident types and causes, and to devise response measures.
At national level, recent road safety measures include the introduction of on-the-spot fines for speeding offences; the publication of a guide to road safety engineering; the issue of a new traffic signs manual; and new TV and radio advertising campaigns.
The National Safety Council's TV and radio advertisements which focus on speeding and drink driving are aimed at all drivers, including motorcyclists. The council also circulates widely a safety information leaflet for motorcyclists called "This is Your Bike". The Rules of the Road, published by my Department, also provide advice on good road user behaviour for motorcyclists. Regulations made in 1993 introduced new improved standards in relation to the compulsory wearing of safety helmets by motor cyclists and pillion passengers. I hope that the combined efforts of the responsible agencies at national and local level, particularly their enforcement and education measures, will influence the driving behaviour of motorcyclists and help in reducing the high number of motorcycle accidents.
