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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 22 Jan 1997

Vol. 473 No. 4

Written Answers. - Fatal Road Accidents.

Máirín Quill

Ceist:

229 Miss Quill asked the Minister for the Environment the number of fatal accidents on the roads in 1996; the average age of the victims; and the measures, if any, he will put in place to reduce the number of such accidents. [1507/97]

Provisional Garda figures show that there were 417 fatal accidents on Irish roads in 1996, in which 455 people were killed. Detailed analysis of the Garda accident reports to provide data in relation to road users, age of victims and other matters will be carried out by the National Roads Authority in the preparation of Road Accident Facts, 1996.

I launched a national road safety campaign in May 1996, with a focus on all responsible agencies working together with the road user to increase the effectiveness of enforcement, education, engineering and encouragement measures. A number of new measures have since been taken and others are in the development stage. Established measures, including constant media advertising, education of road users, especially children, improvements to our road network and the enforcement of road traffic law, are being maintained.

New measures introduced last year include the publication of a guide to road safety engineering; new radio and TV advertisements by the National Safety Council; an enhanced role for local authorities in promoting road safety at local level; the establishment of a voluntary register of driving instructors; the introduction of on-the-spot fines for speeding offences; and the publication of a comprehensive traffic signs manual for local authorities. Further measures to be introduced include a theory test for new drivers, new traffic regulations and compulsory car testing.

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