Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:312 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport when he will establish a road accident investigation unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7763/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 28 February 2006
Ceisteanna (281, 282)
Freagraí scríofa
The primary immediate investigative role in relation to road accidents is vested in the Garda Síochána. Priority in such an investigation must be given to the determination of the causes of road accidents including, where appropriate, road construction or surface standards, and in particular whether a breach of the road traffic laws contributed to the occurrence. The Garda Síochána is the body empowered to make such a determination and to launch criminal proceedings against any person who the Garda consider should be accused of the commission of an offence.
Garda reports on these investigations are forwarded to the National Roads Authority and subsequently to each local authority for the purpose of the establishment of accident trends and causes generally and to facilitate the carrying out of remedial works relating to road infrastructure where such action is deemed to be necessary. I do not intend at present to propose any changes to the position outlined above.
Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:313 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the road safety campaigns currently specifically targeted at people whose first language is not English; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7770/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Safety Council is the agency mandated with responsibility for road safety advertising and education. The council is currently in the process of developing road safety leaflets in eight languages. The leaflets will be distributed widely throughout the relevant communities. They will also be made available to the Garda for distribution as it sees fit. Furthermore, the council is working with its advertising agency on the production of a road safety radio campaign targeting non-nationals.
A multimedia public information and public awareness campaign was undertaken in the lead-up to the metrication of speed limits in 2005. The campaign included the setting up of a dedicated www.gometric.ie website. The awareness campaign section of that website displays information in five languages, in addition to Irish and English, in relation to the metric speed limit structure that applies on our public road network.