Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 March 2004
351 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the number of fatal accidents and injuries involving school buses; and if he will consider introducing legislation to make it compulsory for all traffic to stop while children are alighting from school buses. [7546/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraStatistics relating to road accidents, based on information provided by the Garda Síochána, are published by the National Roads Authority, NRA, in its annual road accident facts reports. The most recent report is in respect of 2002 and that report, along with reports relating to previous years, are available in the Oireachtas Library.
Provisional figures for 2003 indicate that 341 road deaths occurred during that year. A breakdown of the number of traffic accident fatalities in 2003 is not yet fully analysed and authenticated. They will be set out in the road accident facts, 2003, which will be published by the National Roads Authority later this year.
The NRA reports do not contain details of the number of fatal accidents and injuries involving school buses. A consultation paper setting out a range of options for enhancing school bus safety, including the introduction of a requirement whereby other vehicles would have to stop when children are boarding or alighting from school buses, was published by my Department in 2002. Following an extended consultation period, a large number of responses was received. These are now under consideration in my Department.
