Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 June 2012
144 Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the rights and needs of children have been considered in terms of traffic law; his plans to introduce home zone or play street legislation as is operated in countries such as Holland whereby pedestrians enjoy the full use of the road, and a motorist entering such a street must drive at a walking speed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27652/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraConsideration regarding the use of our public roads by all vulnerable road users, including children, is given when providing for road traffic legislation. In that context, road authorities are empowered by Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act, 1994, in consultation with the Garda Commissioner and in the interest of the safety and convenience of road users, to provide traffic calming measures or low speed zones on public roads. In the case of national roads, such measures may not be provided without the consent of the National Roads Authority.
In implementing traffic calming measures or low speed zones on public roads in areas deemed appropriate by local authorities, reference must be made to the "Guidelines for the Application of Special Speed Limits" as issued by my Department to all local authorities on 18 April 2005 pursuant to section 9(9) of the Road Traffic Act 2004. It should be noted that the lowest maximum speed limit that can be applied under the Road Traffic Acts in this country is a special speed limit of 30 km/h and the making of speed limit bye-laws is a reserved function of the local authority. This special speed limit needs to be self-enforcing through use of traffic calming and engineering measures, such as those utilised in ‘home zone' areas.
145 Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the initiatives being developed, or that exist to reduce child pedestrian deaths in view of the context that these are currently the second highest in the EU; if he has considered the association between social deprivation among children and injury from traffic; the measures he is taking to counteract this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27653/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am concerned about the number of pedestrian deaths and, particularly, child pedestrian deaths on our roads. My Department is in regular contact with the Road Safety Authority (RSA) in relation to the possible initiatives that might be taken to improve the situation.
The RSA undertakes initiatives regarding all aspects of road safety, including the reduction of child pedestrian deaths and research into any causal association between social deprivation among children and injury from traffic. I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for a more detailed reply. She should advise my private office if she does not receive a reply within 10 working days.
