Michael Bell
Ceist:92 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the measures, if any, he will take to reduce the carnage on the roads. [18720/99]
Written Answers - Road Safety.
Jan O'Sullivan
Ceist:94 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the progress made to date in implementing the report of the high level group on road safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18703/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 94 together.
The Government Strategy for Road Safety 1998-2002 has set out a range of policies and measures designed to reduce road deaths and serious injuries each by at least 20 per cent by 2002 relative to 1997.
The first progress report of the high level group on road safety was published in July 1999 and details progress with implementing the strategy. Copies of that report have been circulated to all Deputies and are also available in the Oireachtas Library.
The report notes good progress towards the primary strategy target in the first year: 3 per cent less people died on the roads in 1998 than in 1997; 12 per cent less people were seriously injured in 1998 than in 1997: this represents the lowest number of serious injuries for this decade and constitutes significant progress towards the five year target of at least 20 per cent reduction.
Progress towards the supporting targets of the strategy has also been made. Car and truck speeds were slightly down; there were less fatal accidents in the nighttime hours, commonly drink related; and engineering measures to reduce accidents have been implemented at 93 national road locations.
The report also describes progress on key strategy actions scheduled for 1998 and 1999. The use of automatic speed detection systems has been extended and fixed speed cameras are about to be commissioned; evidential breath testing for drink driving will commence in October 1999; on-the-spot fines have been extended to non-wearing of seat belts and a range of other road safety related offences; and the heads of a Bill are currently in preparation in my Department to provide for a penalty points system.