Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 October 2014
374. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has asked the Road Safety Authority to carry out a cost-benefit evaluation of its performance in promoting road safety in 2013 and to date in 2014 in view of the serious rise in casualties on Irish roads in 2013 and the fact that deaths from road collisions are only marginally decreased to date in 2014 compared to the level in 2013. [39062/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rise in road deaths in 2013, after several years of steady decline, is a source of serious concern to us all. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) played a major role in helping to reduce deaths on our roads in recent years, and has a like role in helping to keep up the downward pressure on road deaths now.
The causes of road traffic collisions are many, and a range of measures is needed to address them. The Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020 contains 144 measures which, taken together, will have a significant cumulative effect on road safety generally in Ireland.
As part of the Strategy, there is regular monitoring, based on the principle that there is a need to be flexible in responding to changing circumstances and new international research which may emerge.
I am satisfied that the Strategy and its monitoring mechanisms already provide sufficient scope for addressing and responding to the current situation.
