Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 6 Nov 2001

Vol. 543 No. 2

Written Answers. - Road Safety.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

99 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of persons killed and injured in road traffic accidents during 2000 and to date in 2001; if, in regard to the Government strategy on road safety, he will list those commitments which have been implemented and those which remain to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26685/01]

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

127 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the measures he will introduce to reduce the level of road accidents; and if he will give a timetable for the introduction of such measures. [26293/01]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 127 together.

The number of road deaths in 2000 was 415. This is a 12% decrease on the 1997 level of 472. In 2000, 1,640 people were seriously injured on our roads which represents a 24.8% reduction on 1997 levels. Provisional returns for this year show that 332 people have been killed on the roads in the ten months ended 31 October compared with 347 for the same period last year.

The Government is strongly pursuing the implementation of its strategy for road safety 1998-2002, the first ever national road safety strategy to be adopted by the Irish Government. The strategy 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.

Implementation of the strategy is monitored by the high level group on road safety, whose first progress report – July 1999 – second progress report – August 2000 – and third progress report – July 2001 – detail progress with key actions. Copies of these reports have been circulated to all Deputies and are also available in the Oireachtas Library.

The third progress report shows that real and worthwhile gains are being made in road safety within the framework of the Government strategy. The level of roads deaths reduced by 12.1% between 1997 and 2000, and serious injuries decreased in the 1997-2000 period by almost 25% relative to a reduction target of 20% by end 2002. The interim targets fixed by the strategy for achievement by 2000 have been exceeded.

Progress is also 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, surveys have shown that considerable improvement will be needed in order to achieve road safety targets for reducing speeding and increasing seat belt wearing. Drink driving, despite stricter enforcement, also remains a major problem.

Garda enforcement activity has been intensified and improved in accordance with the road safety strategy. Over 224,000 on the spot fines issued in relation to speeding offences in 2000, compared to 175,000 in 1999 and 130,000 in 1998. Fixed speed cameras are in operation on four of the main national routes out of Dublin and on the M50. Speed limit enforcement is also being supported by an increase in mobile speed detection, the use of laser speed detection as well as in-car and motorcycle cameras. At the end of 2000, approximately 84,000 on the spot fines had been issued for non-wearing of seat belts since the introduction of this measure in July 1999. The number of detections for drink driving in 2000 increased by 24% over 1998. Evidential breath testing was ahead of target by end of 2000 with 25 instruments in operation. It is intended to extend this to 40 by the end of 2001.

The road safety strategy also provided for the implementation of a penalty points system in support of road safety enforcement. The legislation necessary for this measure was published in March 2001 and will be introduced in the Oireachtas shortly. 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 commands the full effort and support of the Government and its agencies. By reference to the estimates set out in the strategy in 1998, over 100 lives are now being saved each year as a result of implementing the strategy compared to a continuation of trends prior to 1998.