Use of a motor vehicle causing death can give rise to a number of different charges and, in certain circumstances, can give rise to a charge of manslaughter, if used quite deliberately to kill somebody. A motorist can be charged with murder, dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving, careless driving and driving without due care and attention. There is not an insufficiency of offences, but there is a need for a far greater observance of the traffic laws, in particular, observance of the speed limits. I assure Deputies that the enforcement of the speeding regulations is given a very high priority because it has been identified, as Deputy Higgins correctly points out, and I agree with him, as a major factor in road accidents.
The introduction recently of new equipment to the gardaí to help them fight speeding on our roads has been welcome in general terms. The equipment currently in use by the gardaí in enforcing the speed limit includes hand held radar guns, tripod mounted lasers, radar and video cameras as well as the GATSO unit. The statistics for prosecutions and convictions for speeding are impressive. For example, the number of convictions in 1993 was 29,590 and in 1996, 33,387. These statistics demonstrate the success of the Garda Síochána in prosecuting these offences using the very latest technology.
I have been assured by the Garda Síochána that its enforcement of road traffic law is rigorous and ongoing and that it is given the high priority it deserves in day to day operations. If one examines the statistics across a range of motoring offences over the past number of years, it is clear that the gardaí have been doing their work effectively.
The argument could be made, as Deputy Higgins seems to suggest, that more could be done to prevent deaths on our roads. In this context I am informed by the Garda authorities that there were 453 fatalities in 1996 and that the figure for 1997 was 474. In the first half of 1997 there were 26 more fatalities than in the same period in 1996. In the second half of 1997 there were five fewer deaths than the comparative period in 1996, that is, the second half of 1996. Although the overall number of fatalities increased in 1997 over 1996, the rate of increase slowed down and there is little doubt that this was due to the Garda Operation Lifesaver action plan.
As Deputy Higgins points out, however, the number of deaths on our roads is unacceptably high and, accordingly, the gardaí are strengthening their enforcement tactics. In addition, they avail of every opportunity to use local and national media to reinforce their road safety message. In this context they co-operate with the National Safety Council's special campaigns against speeding and so on. The inter-agency high level steering group on road safety, including the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda, is now preparing a road strategy document as a matter of urgency. This will be presented to the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government and will provide the basis for the Government's future action plan on road safety.
In regard to road deaths in 1998 and whether the trend is continuing, tragically the statistics for 1998 show —and it is important that everybody knows this —that if the current trend in fatal accidents continues, the total number of fatalities for this year could reach between 500 and 600. The Garda Commissioner has appealed to motorists to slow down, wear a seat belt and not drink and drive. I reiterate that now and I am sure I will be joined in that call by Deputy Higgins and every Deputy in the House. The Commissioner has promised an increase in Garda activity to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on the roads. The Garda Síochána is confident that the measures it is taking, including Operation Lifesaver, will lead to improved results in the longer term. As I said earlier, Operation Lifesaver will continue throughout 1998. I am satisfied—