Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:24 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the measures available to him to contribute towards reducing the appalling carnage on our roads; and the actions he proposes in this regard. [9348/01]
Written Answers. - Road Safety.
Jan O'Sullivan
Ceist:36 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of persons killed and injured in road traffic accidents during 2000 and 2001 to date; if, in regard to the Government strategy on road safety, he will list those commitments which have been implemented and those which have yet to be acted on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10153/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 36 together.
The Government Strategy for Road Safety 1998-2002, the first ever national road safety strategy to be adopted by the Irish Government, has prioritised a systematic and co-ordinated set of measures for preventing and reducing road accidents. It establishes quantified targets for achieving its objectives, the principal of which is to reduce road deaths and serious injuries each by at least 20% by 2002 relative to 1997. Priority is accorded by the strategy to actions targeted at speeding, alcohol, seat belt wearing and vulnerable road users. A timetable for key actions in these and other areas is also set out.
The Government strategy is monitored by the high level group on road safety, whose first progress report published in July 1999 and second progress report published in August 2000, detail progress with key actions. Copies of both reports have been circulated to all Deputies and are also available in the Oireachtas Library.
The second progress report shows that real and worthwhile gains are being made in road safety within the framework of the Government strategy. Road deaths decreased by nearly 13% between 1997 and 1999 relative to the strategy target of a 20% minimum reduction by 2002. Serious injuries decreased in the same period by over 15% relative to a similar reduction target of 20% by end 2002.
The interim targets fixed by the strategy for achievement by 2000 have also been well met. In particular, progress is ahead of target in extending low cost accident measures across the national road network, with 268 schemes completed by end 2000 and a further 88 approved. On the other hand, recent NRA surveys have shown that considerable improvement will be needed in order to achieve road safety targets for reducing speeding and increasing seat belt wearing. There was also a small increase in the number of road deaths in 2000 over 1999.
The road safety strategy envisages a penalty points system in support of road safety enforcement. The Road Traffic Bill, 2001, which will provide for this and other improvements in enforcement related to road safety matters, was published last week. My Department is also working to ensure the availability of a national driver file, complete with penalty points functionality, within the present year.
Ensuring compliance with the targets of the road safety strategy will command the full effort and support of the Government and its agencies. By reference to the estimates set out in the strategy in 1998, more than 100 lives are now being saved each year as a result of implementing the strategy compared to a continuation of trends prior to 1998.
Statistics relating to road accidents are published by the National Roads Authority in their annual road accident facts reports. The most recent report is for 1999 and that report, along with reports relating to previous years, are available in the Oireachtas library. The report for 2000 is not yet available but Garda figures indicate that there were 415 road deaths in 2000 and 98 deaths to end March this year.