Bernard Allen
Ceist:90 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Transport when the new road safety strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23039/03]
Written Answers. - Road Safety.
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:108 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport when he expects to receive the report of the high level group on a new road safety strategy for the years 2003 to 2005; when it is intended to publish the report; the steps he intends to take to deal with the continuing unacceptable level of road casualties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23135/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 108 together.
The programme for Government states that a three-year road safety strategy will be developed and will target speeding, drink-driving, seat-belt wearing and pedestrian safety in order to reduce deaths and injuries. The high level group on road safety has been tasked with the preparation of this new strategy.
The preparation of the new strategy will take account of the achievements in meeting the targets set out in the Road to Safety Strategy 1998-2002, a comprehensive review of that strategy, and the evolving developments in relation to the proposed EU third road safety action plan. Preparation of the new strategy is well advanced and I expect to bring specific proposals for the strategy to Government later this year with a view to publication by year-end.
Pending the introduction of a new strategy, my Department and all the agencies concerned with the implementation of road safety measures are ensuring that the successful measures brought forward under the road to safety continue to be implemented. The implementation of that strategy resulted in a reduction of over 20% in both deaths and serious injuries. That momentum has been maintained this year, as we have witnessed a further reduction in road crash fatalities. Provisional figures to 6 October 2003 show 262 road deaths compared to 303 on the same date last year. There is a need to build on the success of the first road safety strategy and the continued positive trends which we have been experiencing has been highlighted by the tragic loss of ten lives on our roads over the first weekend in October.