Vol. 526 No. 1
208 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the Government's road safety programme; the measures taken to improve road safety education; the research undertaken to assist in improved road safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25940/00]
I refer to the replies to Questions Nos. 96, 111 and 303 – taken together – and 235 of 8 November 2000 which set out the overall position in relation to the Government strategy for road safety and associated road safety research.
The Government strategy also recognised that it is vital that children form good road safety habits from the earliest possible age. In September 2000, in order to meet this need, the National Safety Council launched an education resource pack on safety including road safety, called "BE SAFE" for use in primary schools. Over 30,000 copies of the pack will be distributed to primary schools. As indicated in the second progress report on the strategy, a secondary school project on road safety is now also being developed by the National Safety Council.
209 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the principal causes of road accidents; if road engineering and maintenance is a contributing factor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25941/00]
The most common contributory factors to road accidents in Ireland identified in the Government strategy for road safety are excess ive speed and alcohol. It is also estimated that a road factor contributes to some 25% of road accidents.
Initiatives which have been taken to improve road safety engineering include the publication by my Department of A Guide to Road Safety Engineering in Ireland, 1996, and ongoing programmes of low cost remedial engineering measures for both the national and non-national road networks.
